S 0593 General Bill, By Reese
 A BILL TO AMEND ARTICLE 7, CHAPTER 3, TITLE 16, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH
 CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO OFFENSES AGAINST A PERSON AND ASSAULT, BY ADDING
 SECTION 16-3-640 SO AS TO MAKE IT AN OFFENSE TO PHYSICALLY ASSAULT A SPORTS
 OFFICIAL AT ANY LEVEL OF COMPETITION WITHIN THE CONFINES OR IMMEDIATE VICINITY
 OF THE ATHLETIC FACILITY AT WHICH THE ATHLETIC CONTEST IN WHICH THE SPORTS
 OFFICIAL WAS AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT IS HELD, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES.

   03/11/99  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-4
   03/11/99  Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary SJ-4

TO AMEND ARTICLE 7, CHAPTER 3, TITLE 16, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO OFFENSES AGAINST A PERSON AND ASSAULT, BY ADDING SECTION 16-3-640 SO AS TO MAKE IT AN OFFENSE TO PHYSICALLY ASSAULT A SPORTS OFFICIAL AT ANY LEVEL OF COMPETITION WITHIN THE CONFINES OR IMMEDIATE VICINITY OF THE ATHLETIC FACILITY AT WHICH THE ATHLETIC CONTEST IN WHICH THE SPORTS OFFICIAL WAS AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT IS HELD, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 16-3-640. (A) A person is guilty of a misdemeanor if:

(1) he physically assaults a sports official at any level of competition; and

(2) the sports official was an active participant in the athletic contest; and

(3) the assault occurred within the confines or immediate vicinity of the athletic facility where the athletic contest was held.

Upon conviction, the person shall be punished by a fine of ten thousand dollars or imprisonment not to exceed three years, or both.

(B) For purposes of this section, a sports official is defined as an individual who:

(1) serves as a referee, umpire, and linesman, or one who serves in a similar capacity but who may be known by another title; and

(2) is duly registered as a member of a local, state, regional, or national organization which is engaged in part in providing education and training to sports officials."

SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.