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Minutes for HB2520 - Committee on Federal and State Affairs
Short Title
Increasing penalty for assault and battery against a sports official.
Minutes Content for Wed, Feb 19, 2020
Chairperson Barker opened the hearing on HB2520. Jason Long, Revisor, provided an overview of the bill (Attachment 1). Questions were asked by Representatives Ruiz, Arnberger, Karleskint, Erickson, and Stogsdill, as well as Chairperson Barker.
Chairperson Barker stated that they will be getting another bill on this same subject matter from the Judiciary Committee. He stated that they will hear that bill after turnaround and will probably work both bills at the same time.
Chairperson Barker recognized Jeffrey Bachman, who testified as a proponent of HB2520 on his own behalf and as a member of the Kansas State High School Athlete Association (KSHAA) (Attachment 2). He stated that there is a growing shortage of youth sports officiators throughout the state primarily because of abuse from fans. He stated that sports officials should be able to perform their duties without threat of personal injury because of their game calls. He urges the Committee to pass HB2520. Questions were asked by Representatives Erickson, Humphries, Ruiz, and Chairperson Barker. Chairperson Barker asked the Research Department to provide the statistics on criminal charges filed in Kansas through the OJA and their professional organization relating to assaults on sports officiators.
Chairperson Barker recognized Erik Sartorius, representing himself, as a proponent of HB2520 (Attachment 3). He stated that the bill's protections for the sports officiators should not be limited to only during the game and on the field or court. Questions were asked by Representative Karleskint.
Chairperson Barker stated that there were no opponents or neutrals and, therefore, closed the hearing on HB2520.
