Bill

HB 1110

85(R) - 2017
House Criminal Jurisprudence
Read Bill & Check Bill Status
House Criminal Jurisprudence
Criminal Justice
Crimes

Vote Recommendation

Yes
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Positive
  • Neutral
  • Positive

Author(s)

Ed Thompson

Bill Caption

Relating to increasing the punishment for assault committed against certain sports participants.


Fiscal Notes

From the LBB: no fiscal implication to the state is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

Under current law it is considered assault punishable by a Class B misdemeanor, if an offense is committed by a person who is not a sports participant, and if they assault a person who is a sports participant either while they are participating in their sport, or if they assault them in retaliation to the participant’s performance. This bill would clarify some language, and attempts to close an existing loophole whereby auxiliary volunteers, coaches, sports officials, and adult athletes are exempt from this punishment due to their participation in the sport. If this bill passes, an assault by a sports participant who is also an athlete, and younger than 19 years of age, would not be punishable by a Class B misdemeanor.

Vote Recommendation Notes

This bill clarifies some language related to the assault of offense and would prevent student athletes who are in the heat of competition from being punished by a Class B misdemeanor while also making it clear that adults such as coaches and referees do not qualify for the exemption. For protecting student athletes while holding adult facilitators appropriately accountable we support HB 1110.