Bill > S00662

This bill establishes new legal protections for sports officials by creating two specific criminal offenses: assault on sports officials and aggravated harassment of sports officials. The bill defines sports officials broadly to include umpires, referees, judges, linesmen, coaches, and any other persons participating in an official capacity at a sports contest. Assault on sports officials becomes a crime when a person intentionally causes physical injury to a sports official during a sports contest, including pre-game and post-game activities and surrounding parking areas. Aggravated harassment of a sports official is defined as intentionally striking, shoving, or threatening a sports official; attempting to make a sports official come into contact with saliva; or communicating threats of physical or property harm that would reasonably cause fear. Aggravated harassment is classified as a class B misdemeanor. Additionally, the bill requires the New York State Education Department to develop an information campaign that must be distributed to all youth, school, amateur, and intercollegiate sports programs, instructing parents and spectators about appropriate behavior and the potential criminal consequences of harassing or assaulting sports officials. The law will take effect 120 days after it becomes law, providing time for sports programs to implement the new informational requirements.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S662