A bill is under consideration to make it a crime to verbally assault and or confront sports officials at high school games. Senate bill 842 named the “Respect The Whistle Act” would provide protection for sports officials from unruly and angry fans. One ad in the laurel highlands conference says that one of his games had to be moved to another day so officials would be available. The new law could pave the way for more people to enter the ranks of officiating. The new bill would go hand in hand with an existing law that covers physical assault.
