1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to public safety; providing enhanced penalties for assaulting a sports 
1.3 	official;amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 609.2231, by adding a 
1.4 	subdivision.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 609.2231, is amended by adding a subdivision 
1.7 	to read:
1.8 		Subd. 12.Sports official. (a) Whoever assaults a sports official while the official is 
1.9 	engaged in the performance of the official's duties, and inflicts demonstrable bodily harm, 
1.10 	is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
1.11 	(b) As used in this subdivision, "sports official" means a person who serves as an umpire, 
1.12 	referee, judge, linesperson, timer, scorekeeper, or in another similar capacity for a youth 
1.13 	athletic activity as defined in section 121A.38, subdivision 1, paragraph (e).
1.14 	(c) A sports official is engaged in the performance of the official's duties when the person 
1.15 	is:
1.16 	(1) serving in a capacity described in paragraph (b);
1.17 	(2) on the premises or in the parking lot where the youth athletic activity is taking place; 
1.18 	or
1.19 	(3) traveling between the premises and a public transit stop or a motor vehicle.

1.20 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective August 1, 2023, and applies to crimes 
1.21 	committed on or after that date.