Proposed
law to stop hooligan antics
By Oscar Montealegre
On-line Forty-Niner
Assemblywoman
Rebecca Cohn (D-Saratoga) has proposed a
bill that prohibits public interference
during sports events and violation of the
proposed law entails a maximum of six months
of county jail and/or a fine of $1,000.
Rebecca Cohn represents the twenty-fourth
Assembly District, she is also the Chair
of the Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism
and Internet Media Committee. Cohn’s bill
aims to ensure Safety for players and Coaches.
“Players and coaches deserve to have a safe
environment to play in, professional sporting
events should be enjoyable for all involved
and inappropriate behavior by fans should
not be tolerated under any circumstances,”
Cohn said.
The bill is authored under the title AB
245. AB 245 would make it a crime if fans
evoke a variety of things that are considered
inappropriate and improper.
For instance, spectators would be prohibited
to touch any player with the intent of interfering
or distracting play. Also, throwing objects
in the field of play with the intent to
interfere or to distract a player would
also be liable to punishment. Last, throwing
objects at players or attendees before,
during or immediately after a sporting event
including on or near the field of play,
locker rooms, dugouts, bleachers, parking
and concession stands.
However, AB245 does not specify what types
of objects are considered a danger or a
distraction to players. For example, in
hockey it is appropriate to throw objects
such as hats or mascot dolls to represent
the fan’s pleasure or displeasure with the
team or player.
“In certain cases this law is good, but
it can be too drastic if a fan is sentenced
to six months in jail or given a hefty fine
for just throwing a paper plane at a player.
However, the law would be effective if it
punishes fans for throwing bottles aimed
at players,” Niall Adler said, the assistant
director of media relations.
The bill also enforces facilities that are
holding professional events should provide
displayed notices specifying the activities
that are prohibited by AB245 and the punishments
for engaging in inappropriate activity.
“Specific guidelines and constant enforcement
should be practiced in order for the law
to be effective. Also, to make everything
work enforcement must be consistent and
there needs to be enough staff to enforce
the law,” Adler said.
The bill was introduced on February 3, 2003.
If AB245 does pass, it would be enforced
at a national level.
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