Missouri House Bill HB103

Missouri 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/4/23
• Refer: 5/12/23

Caption

Establishes the offenses of harassment of a school or recreation athletic official and entry or remaining on site of a school or recreation athletic contest after being forbidden

Impact

Should HB 103 be enacted, it will introduce penalties for harassment aimed at athletic contest officials that can include fines of up to five hundred dollars, imprisonment for up to ninety days, or both. Additionally, offenders could be mandated to complete forty hours of court-approved community service and participate in counseling programs, which could focus on anger management and intervention measures. This aligns with efforts to enhance the safety and respect afforded to officials, addressing issues that have been increasingly highlighted in youth sports.

Summary

House Bill 103 aims to amend Missouri's legal framework regarding the harassment of athletic officials during school-related athletic events. The bill establishes specific offenses related to the harassment of school and recreation athletic contest officials, defining harassment as verbal or nonverbal behavior that causes a reasonable person to fear bodily harm. This legislation is intended to protect those officiating school sports, recognizing the challenges and pressures they face during events and promoting a safer environment for them to perform their duties.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 103 appears to be positive among supporters who advocate for the safeguarding of athletic officials in educational institutions. Proponents believe that such measures are necessary to maintain the integrity of school sports and encourage more individuals to take on roles as officials. However, there may be concerns regarding the effectiveness of punitive measures versus educational approaches to reducing harassment in sports environments.

Contention

Notable points of contention could arise around the enforcement of the proposed penalties and the perception of severity of the consequences for actions deemed as harassment. Some stakeholders might express concerns over the potential for subjective interpretation of what constitutes harassment, leading to possible misuses of the law in punitive actions against spectators or participants. This bill exemplifies the ongoing struggle to balance discipline and sportsmanship in school sports settings.