Committee debates elevating assault and battery of athletic officials to felonies; members raise scope and juvenile‑justice concerns
March 13, 2025 | 2025 Legislature WV, West Virginia
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The committee took up Senate Bill 531, which would escalate the offenses of assault and battery of athletic officials to felonies and increase associated fines and prison terms.
Counsel explained the draft would change the penalty for assault of an athletic official from a fine of up to $500 or confinement not more than six months to a fine of $500–$1,000 or imprisonment for one to two years, and would change battery of an athletic official from a fine of up to $1,000 or confinement not more than 12 months to a fine of $1,000–$2,000 or imprisonment for one to three years. Counsel said the bill revises existing code provisions and adjusts penalties.
Committee members debated the bill’s scope and consequences. Senators noted the bill’s definition of “athletic official” is broad and may cover referees, umpires, coaches or any person supervising participants “at a sports event,” which could apply to non‑school events such as amateur leagues. Senators asked whether school personnel like principals or coaches would be covered; counsel said the definition would apply to any person acting as an athletic official at the event.
Several senators raised questions about juvenile adjudication. Committee counsel and members discussed how juveniles are processed differently from adults — juveniles typically are handled via juvenile petitions and appear before juvenile court rather than adult criminal court — but several members asked whether raising the statutory penalty to a felony could create additional jeopardy for minors. Law‑enforcement and committee members clarified that juvenile procedures remain distinct, though a court can pursue adult treatment in certain cases.
Members also discussed whether the bill intended to match penalties for assaulting school personnel and whether the language should be narrowed; one senator suggested matching the misdemeanor treatment for school employees rather than converting the offenses to felonies. Committee members agreed the bill warranted more consideration and noted it will go to Judiciary, providing an opportunity for further amendment and clarification.
Counsel explained the draft would change the penalty for assault of an athletic official from a fine of up to $500 or confinement not more than six months to a fine of $500–$1,000 or imprisonment for one to two years, and would change battery of an athletic official from a fine of up to $1,000 or confinement not more than 12 months to a fine of $1,000–$2,000 or imprisonment for one to three years. Counsel said the bill revises existing code provisions and adjusts penalties.
Committee members debated the bill’s scope and consequences. Senators noted the bill’s definition of “athletic official” is broad and may cover referees, umpires, coaches or any person supervising participants “at a sports event,” which could apply to non‑school events such as amateur leagues. Senators asked whether school personnel like principals or coaches would be covered; counsel said the definition would apply to any person acting as an athletic official at the event.
Several senators raised questions about juvenile adjudication. Committee counsel and members discussed how juveniles are processed differently from adults — juveniles typically are handled via juvenile petitions and appear before juvenile court rather than adult criminal court — but several members asked whether raising the statutory penalty to a felony could create additional jeopardy for minors. Law‑enforcement and committee members clarified that juvenile procedures remain distinct, though a court can pursue adult treatment in certain cases.
Members also discussed whether the bill intended to match penalties for assaulting school personnel and whether the language should be narrowed; one senator suggested matching the misdemeanor treatment for school employees rather than converting the offenses to felonies. Committee members agreed the bill warranted more consideration and noted it will go to Judiciary, providing an opportunity for further amendment and clarification.
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