The bill amends Chapter 11-5 of the General Laws by adding a new section titled "Assault on sports officials." It defines key terms such as "sports official," which includes umpires, referees, linesmen, coaches, and any other participants in regulating or enforcing the rules of a sporting event, and "sporting event," which encompasses any interscholastic or intramural athletic activity of public or private educational institutions, as well as organized athletic activities sponsored by community, business, or non-profit organizations, including youth and adult sports organizations.

The bill establishes that any person who commits an assault or battery against a sports official while that official is performing their duties, whether before, during, or after a sporting event, will be guilty of a felony. If the assault does not result in serious bodily injury, the offender may face imprisonment for up to three years or a fine of up to $3,000. If the assault results in serious bodily injury, the offender could be imprisoned for a minimum of three years and up to twenty years, or fined up to $10,000.

Additionally, individuals convicted under this section will be ordered to make restitution to the victim or perform up to 500 hours of public community restitution work or attend violence counseling and/or substance abuse counseling, or any combination of these as imposed by the sentencing judge. The court cannot waive the obligation to make restitution and/or perform public community restitution work, which shall be in addition to any fine or sentence imposed. The act will take effect upon passage.