Profession Protection: Referees

What’s happening? Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association says that  harassment of umpires and referees was so rampant it had become impossible to attract enough of them to support their games.

Why is this important? Wisconsin is considering legislation to make harassing an umpire or referee a misdemeanor.

How will this be important? MI, NY and OH are also considering protecting referees and umpires. HI SB 2612 (2021 | HI) considered making harassing a sports official a felony. 20 states already have laws providing special criminal penalties for attacks—including verbal ones—against referees. 

Route Fifty | Lawmakers Call Foul on Referee Abuse