This bill proposes to upgrade the legal classification of assaults against sports officials at school- or community-sponsored youth sports events from a disorderly persons offense to aggravated assault. Specifically, it introduces new legal language that defines a sports official as any individual serving in roles such as referee, umpire, coach, or similar capacities, whether compensated or volunteer. Under the amended law, if a person commits a simple assault against a sports official while they are identifiable as performing their duties, it will be classified as aggravated assault. This change aims to provide greater protection for sports officials and recognizes the importance of their roles in youth sports.

Under the current law, assaults against sports officials are treated as disorderly persons offenses, which carry lighter penalties. The bill stipulates that if an assault against a sports official results in no bodily injury, it will be classified as a crime of the fourth degree; if bodily injury occurs, it will be classified as a crime of the third degree. The penalties for these classifications include potential imprisonment and fines that are significantly higher than those for disorderly persons offenses. The bill is set to take effect on the first day of the fourth month following its enactment.