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Read. Follow. Verify.Missouri House Bill 2165 adds sports officials to the legal definition of special victim
Last action · May 15, 2026: Referred: Emerging Issues(H)Sponsor: David Dolan
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What This Bill Would Do
Missouri House Bill 2165 expands the state's legal definition of a "" to include certified or registered sports officials assaulted while performing their duties at any level of competition. This change applies statewide across all levels of sporting events, covering roles such as referees, umpires, judges, and linesmen.
The measure establishes stricter legal protections and potential sentencing enhancements for individuals who commit assaults against certified referees, umpires, and judges during sporting events.
- David Dolan serves as a member of the Missouri House of Representatives representing District 148. context
- House Bill 2165 was introduced during the 2026 Regular Session of the 103rd General Assembly of Missouri. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Sports officials
Sports officials receive expanded legal protections under the special victim statute when assaulted while performing their duties.
Key Facts
- House Bill 2165 adds sports officials to the legal definition of a special victim under section 565.002, RSMo.
- The protection covers sports officials assaulted at any level of competition while performing their duties.
- A sports official is defined to include judges, linesmen, officials, referees, or umpires.
- To qualify, a sports official must be trained and certified or registered by an organization engaged in the education, training, and certifying or registering of sports officials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies as a sports official under this bill?
Does this bill apply only to professional or high school sporting events?
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News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
4 actions- May 15, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred: Emerging Issues(H)
- Jan 8, 2026HouseFloorRead Second Time (H)
- Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroducedRead First Time (H)
- Dec 4, 2025HouseIntroducedPrefiled (H)
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
house.mo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance45How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy15Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz25Current news / social attention level
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