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HD 1952

An Act relative to the assault on and aggravated harassment of sports officials

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Rob Consalvo

Criminalizes assault or harassment of sports officials at sporting events (including pre/post-event areas), with up to 5 years' prison and a $5,000 fine.

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Bill Summary · HD 1952

Summary: House Bill HD 1952 — An Act relative to the assault on and aggravated harassment of sports officials

Overview

HD 1952 proposes a new criminal provision (to be inserted as Section 43B in Chapter 265 of the General Laws) to protect sports officials from assault and aggravated harassment at sporting events. The bill defines broad categories of events and individuals to cover a wide range of settings, from school and amateur athletics to professional contexts, including related pre- and post-event activities and surrounding areas.

Key provisions

  • New section inserted: Chapter 265, Section 43B (a)

  • Definitions

    • “Sporting event” includes:
    • Interscholastic and intramural athletic activities
    • Organized activities sponsored by community, business, or nonprofit organizations
    • Professional or semi-professional events
    • Other organized athletic activities enforced by a sports official
    • Pre- and post-event activities and surrounding parking areas
    • “Sports official” means any individual who enforces the rules of a sporting event (e.g., referee, umpire, linesman) and who is duly registered by or a member of a local, state, regional, or national organization involved in education/training of officials

  • Offenses and penalties

    • Assault on a sports official: Assault or assault and battery at a sporting event carries
    • Up to 5 years in state prison, or up to 2.5 years in a house of correction
    • Up to $5,000 fine, or both imprisonment and fine
    • Criminal harassment of a sports official: Willful, malicious pattern or series of acts at a sporting event directed at a sports official that seriously alarms the official and would cause substantial emotional distress
    • Up to 5 years in state prison, or up to 2.5 years in a house of correction
    • Up to $5,000 fine, or both imprisonment and fine

Scope and impact

  • Covers a broad range of settings, including youth, school, community, amateur, and professional contexts
  • Applies to pre- and post-event activities and parking areas, recognizing the full environment around sporting events
  • Primarily affects: sports officials (as defined), spectators, participants, event organizers, and venues

Legislative history and status

  • Introduced/Filed: January 15, 2025 (House Docket No. 1625)
  • Representative sponsor: Rob Consalvo (Boston)
  • Session: Massachusetts 194th General Court (2025-2026)
  • Current status: Not indicated in the provided materials

Why it matters

The bill aims to strengthen protections for sports officials by creating clearly defined criminal penalties for assaults and targeted harassment at sporting events. If enacted, offenses would carry penalties similar to other violent offenses, signaling a commitment to safer sports environments and the enforcement tools needed to deter abuse of officials.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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