This bill aims to amend the penalties for individuals convicted of assault or battery against athletic officials in West Virginia. Specifically, it increases the fines associated with these offenses. For assault, the bill stipulates that offenders will face a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $1,000, and for battery, the fine will range from not less than $1,000 to nor more than $3,000. Additionally, the potential jail time for assault is set at a maximum of six months, while battery carries a maximum of twelve months.

The bill also clarifies the definitions of assault and battery by referencing existing legal definitions in the West Virginia Code. It defines "athletic official" as individuals who enforce the rules at sports events, such as umpires, referees, or coaches. The overall intent of the legislation, referred to as the Safe Play Act, is to enhance the protection of athletic officials by imposing stricter penalties for violent actions against them.

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