House Status:
Senate Status:
Senate Status:
Minutes for HB2542 - Committee on Judiciary
Short Title
Creating the crime of abuse of a sports official and providing criminal penalties therefor.
Minutes Content for Wed, Feb 9, 2022
Chairperson Patton opened the hearing on HB2542. Natalie Scott provided an overview of the bill. She stood for questions. (Attachment 4)
Proponent
Representative Mark Samsel explained without action by this body, Kansas is on a path where they will lack sports officials to officiate our youth, middle school, and high school games as rising abuse has contributed to a severe shortage and cancellation of contests. As example after example demonstrates, existing law does not sufficiently address the problem. Representative Samsel provided additional materials from the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) which has taken the lead across America in promoting these efforts. He also explained several examples of the type of behavior officials are seeing from coaches and fans. Representative Samsel thanked the membership for their time and stood for questions. (Attachment 5)
Braxton Spencer explained he is the junior class president at Anderson County Junior-Senior High School in Garnett, Kansas. Mr. Spencer explained that during the past three years of refereeing he has been yelled at, touched, and verbally assaulted refereeing 5th and 6th grade basketball. He has had parents come on the court and push him as well as coaches poking and grabbing his arm. He said he knows of four other student-athletes his age who have decided to quit refereeing because of this treatment. The way individuals are treating the sports officials isn’t just hurting the referee but also hurting sports. Students can’t play without officals and in his opinion, most of the good referees are gone. Mr. Spencer asked the membership to vote in favor of this bill. He stood for questions.(Attachment 6)
Danny L. McDorman stated the State of Kansas continues to see a decline in people wanting to be sports officials, passing this bill would give Tri-Valley League another tool in the recruitment process. Passing this bill will allow them to let new officials know they are protected while officiating. The State of Kansas is in a CRISIS when it comes to its number of officials. According to a recent study done by the Kansas Sports Officials Association, Kansas is down 23.8% in total for all sports officials across our State. Tri-Valley League and its 497 sports officials support HB2542 and asks that you recommend it favorably. Mr. McDorman stood for questions. (Attachment 7)
John Dehan spoke in favor of HB2542. He provided an handout to committee members which stands as his written testimony. Mr. Dehan is asking that sports officials be added as a special class of individuals that are protected by law. He stood for questions. (Attachment 8)
Neutral
Timothy R. Graham explained Kansas National Education Association (KNEA) fully recognizes the growing shortage of game officials in Kansas State High School Activities Association sponsored events as well as youth sports in general. Individuals could reasonably cite hostile environments and experiences as contributing factors to these shortages. KNEA would be remiss as well, if given the chance to discuss increasingly hostile environments and to remain silent about the growing concern of safety in the classroom. They appreciated the indulgence of the committee to listen to three public school teachers talk about their personal experiences that are examples of instances that are increasingly occurring beyond the fields and courts of play. Mr. Graham introduced Leigh Anne Rogers - USD 233 Olathe and Linda Sieck - USD 512 Shawnee Mission who shared their experiences with the behavior of students and their increasing concern about the safety of teachers in the classroom. Mr. Graham stood for questions. (Attachment 9)
Chairperson Patton closed the hearing on HB2542.
