Bill > HB2319

This bill expands the definition of "special victim" in Missouri state law to include sports officials who are assaulted during a sporting event while performing their official duties or as a direct result of those duties. The definition is specifically broad, covering sports officials at all levels of competition and including judges, linesmen, referees, and umpires. To qualify as a sports official, the individual must be trained and certified or registered by an organization dedicated to educating, training, and certifying sports officials. By adding sports officials to the list of special victims, the bill provides enhanced legal protections and potentially more severe penalties for individuals who assault sports officials during sporting events. This change recognizes the important role sports officials play in maintaining fair and safe competition and seeks to deter violence against them by classifying such assaults as attacks on a special victim category.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2319&year=2026&code=R