1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to public safety; providing enhanced penalties for assaulting a sports
1.3 official;amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 609.2231, by adding a
1.4 subdivision.
1.5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.6 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 609.2231, is amended by adding a subdivision
1.7 to read:
1.8 Subd. 12.Sports official. (a) As used in this subdivision, "sports official" means a person
1.9 who serves as an umpire, referee, judge, linesperson, timer, scorekeeper, or in another similar
1.10 capacity for a youth athletic activity as defined in section 121A.38, subdivision 1, paragraph
1.11 (e).
1.12 (b) Whoever commits either of the following acts against a sports official because of
1.13 the official's performance as a sports official is guilty of a gross misdemeanor:
1.14 (1) assaults the official and inflicts demonstrable bodily harm; or
1.15 (2) intentionally throws or otherwise transfers bodily fluids or feces at or onto the official.
1.16 EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2025, and applies to crimes
1.17 committed on or after that date.
