Bill > LB657

This bill creates a new criminal offense called "assault on a sports official" within the Nebraska Criminal Code. Specifically, the bill defines a sports official as an individual who serves in a referee or similar capacity and is registered with a local, state, regional, or national organization that provides education and training to sports officials. The offense occurs when someone intentionally or knowingly causes bodily injury to a sports official immediately before, during, or right after an athletic contest, and the offender knows or should reasonably know the victim is a sports official. If convicted, the offense is classified as a Class IV felony, which typically carries potential imprisonment and fines. The bill broadens the definition of an athletic contest to include interscholastic, intercollegiate, amateur, and professional athletic events, and provides a specific legal mechanism to protect sports officials from physical assault during or around sporting events.

Justice

https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59757