TRENTON, NJ – They are calling it the “Penalty Box Act”, a law calling for stiffer penalties for spectators of youth sports who get out of control and violent.
Introduced by Assemblywoman Vicky Flynn, the Penalty Box Act (A4444/4471) will upgrade penalties for assaults against sports officials,coaches and event staff.
Flynn cited actions of some people at youth sporting events as ‘toxic’.
“Adults should be role models for children at sporting events. We know the psychological long-term effects upon children when they observe parents fighting in a home. The harm is no different when children observe toxic behavior among adults at soccer matches, basketball games or at a hockey rink,” said Flynn (R-Monmouth). “There is no excuse for an adult to act in a violent way at a sporting event.”
The bill upgrades penalties for assaults against sports officials, coaches or staff from a simple assault to a fourth-degree aggravated assault if there are no injuries. That crime carries up to 18 months in prison and a fine up to $10,000. If the official is injured, the crime becomes third-degree, punishable by imprisonment of three to five years, a fine of up to $15,000, or both.
Last June, a 72-year-old umpire was attacked by a coach during a youth baseball game in Branchburg and suffered a broken jaw and a concussion.
“The goal of the Penalty Box Act is to restore civility to youth sports and address all bad behavior before it escalates to violence. I am pleased that there is bipartisan support to focus on this reprehensible conduct and return the joy of sports to players, coaches and sports officials at sporting events,” Flynn said.
The bill will also include anti-harassment, intimidation and bullying policies in an attempt to reduce the ‘toxic conduct in athletic settings’.
The bill does not state whether or not telling an umpire he needs glasses would be an act of bullying or intimidation.