SB214 (2014) Detail

Relative to immunity from civil liability for sports officials.


SB 214 – AS INTRODUCED

2014 SESSION

14-2619

06/04

SENATE BILL 214

AN ACT relative to immunity from civil liability for sports officials.

SPONSORS: Sen. Bragdon, Dist 11; Rep. Hinch, Hills 21

COMMITTEE: Judiciary

ANALYSIS

This bill limits the liability of a person acting as a sports official at certain athletic events.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

14-2619

06/04

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Fourteen

AN ACT relative to immunity from civil liability for sports officials.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 New Section; Sports Officials; Liability Limited. Amend RSA 508 by inserting after section 17-a the following new section:

508:17-b Sports Officials; Liability Limited.

I. Any person who acts as a sports official at an athletic event, scrimmage, or activity sponsored by a nonprofit organization, governmental entity, or an enterprise operating for profit shall be immune from civil liability in any action brought on the basis of any act or omission resulting in damage or injury to another person if:

(a) The sponsoring authority has a record indicating that the official was properly scheduled to officiate the specific sports game, scrimmage, or event.

(b) The sports official was acting in good faith and within the scope of official functions and duties during the specific sports game, scrimmage, or event.

II. In this section, “sports official” means an individual who officiates any sporting event whether he or she is a volunteer, receives compensation, or obtains reimbursement for expenses actually incurred for rendering such services. A sports official shall possess proper certification from a duly constituted organized sports association for the specific sport being officiated or a validation of competence from a local youth organization for the rules, procedures, practices, and programs for the specific athletic activity being officiated.

2 Effective Date: This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.