The bill aims to amend the penalties for individuals convicted of assault or battery against athletic officials in West Virginia. Specifically, it proposes to increase the fines associated with these offenses. For assault, the fine will be adjusted to a minimum of $500 and a maximum of $1,000, while for battery, the fine will be set between $1,000 and $3,000. Additionally, the potential jail time for assault remains at a maximum of six months, while for battery, it increases to a maximum of twelve months.

The bill also clarifies the definitions of assault and battery by referencing specific sections of the West Virginia Code. It defines "athletic official" as individuals who enforce the rules at sports events, such as umpires, referees, or coaches. This legislation, known as the Safe Play Act, seeks to enhance the protection of athletic officials by imposing stricter penalties for those who commit violent acts against them during their official duties.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 61-2-15a