Lawmaker Introduces Bill to Raise the Penalty for Assaulting a Referee

State Rep. Bill Roemer, R-Richfield, proposed a bill to raise the penalty for assaulting a referee in Ohio. He talked with Kallmeyer about the situations he has witnessed throughout the years.

He said these assaults happen not only during Ohio high school athletic events, but at little league events as well. Roemer said his bill is about creating a safe place for kids to play sports.

Under his proposal assaulting a referee would be considered a felony if a first assault occurred.

“The sports official who is most likely to be assaulted, who needs the most protection in that situation doesn’t have that protection,” he said.

Basketball and baseball appear to be two of the sports that see a significant amount of assaults, according to Roemer.