Bill > S1327

This bill, titled "Zero Tolerance for Violence at Youth Sporting Events," aims to create a safer environment for young athletes by establishing a new council and increasing penalties for violent behavior by adults at youth sporting events. The bill defines a "youth sporting event" broadly to include any organized activity sanctioned by a town, school, or athletic association. It proposes creating a five-member "Council Against Violence and Aggression at Youth Activities" within the Department of Public Safety, with one representative from each of the Commonwealth's five regions, appointed by the Governor. This council, which will operate on a voluntary basis, will be responsible for developing and enforcing a statewide Code of Conduct for youth sporting events, investigating complaints of adult violence and aggression, and having the authority to ban individuals from attending any and all youth sporting events based on evidence of such behavior, with a clear process for appeals. Furthermore, the bill introduces new criminal offenses and enhanced penalties for assault and battery, stalking, and criminal harassment specifically committed at youth sporting events, including potential jail time and significant fines. The funding for a public electronic registry of banned individuals will be derived from these increased penalties.