Bill > HF121

This bill enhances legal protections for sports officials by creating a new criminal offense that specifically addresses assaults against them during or around youth athletic activities. The bill defines a sports official as anyone serving in an officiating capacity such as an umpire, referee, judge, linesperson, timer, or scorekeeper for youth athletic events. If someone assaults a sports official while the official is performing their duties—which includes being on the premises, in the parking lot, or traveling to or from the event—and causes demonstrable bodily harm, they would be charged with a gross misdemeanor. This means the offense is more serious than a typical misdemeanor but less severe than a felony. The law is specifically focused on youth athletic activities as defined in a referenced section of Minnesota statutes, and it will become effective on August 1, 2025, applying to crimes committed on or after that date. By creating this specific legal provision, the bill aims to provide additional legal deterrence and protection for individuals who officiate youth sporting events.

Justice

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF0121&ssn=0&y=2025