Bill seeks to protect referees from violence
Feb 5, 2025, 2:00 PM
A referee gives a thumbs-up during a football game between Orem and West held at Orem High School in Orem on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. (Isaac Hale/Deseret News)
(Isaac Hale/Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — A committee of Utah lawmakers supported a bill this week aimed at protecting referees from violent parents, fans and coaches.
The bill looks to combat a problem seen not just in Utah, but around the country.
Rep. Jon Hawkins, R-Pleasant Grove, is sponsoring the bill.
“I’ve seen referees, you know 14, 15-year-old kids, they’re being attacked by parents and coaches that are adults,” Hawkins told a House committee this week.
“We’re losing referees and when we lose referees, our kids are the ones that suffer.”
The bill would add an aggravating factor to cases of assault or threatening violence if it’s against a referee. This means if someone pleads guilty or is convicted of doing so, it could lead the judge to impose a harsher sentence.
According to the National Association of Sports Officials, over 20 states have already passed laws like this.
“The purpose of this bill is to just maybe just help people think twice,” Hawkins said.
The bill got unanimous support from a House committee and is now on its way to the full House.
Related: Bill seeks to clear Utahns of their spouses’ medical debts after they die
