Classification of Crimes.

Crimes are classified as misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, or class A, B, or C felonies.  While there are exceptions, the classification of a crime generally determines the maximum term of confinement and fine for an offense.  For each classification, the maximum terms of confinement and maximum fines are as follows: 

Interference or Intimidation by Force or Violence.

It is a gross misdemeanor for a person to interfere by force or violence with a teacher, administrator, classified employee, contract employee, or student who is in the peaceful discharge or conduct of his or her duties or studies.  The penalty for Interference by Force or Violence is a fine of up to $500, confinement for not more than six months, or both.

A student who interferes by force or violence with a teacher, administrator, classified employee, contract employee, or student is subject to immediate suspension or expulsion.

It is a gross misdemeanor for a person to intimidate by threat of force or violence a teacher, administrator, classified employee, or student who is in the peaceful discharge or conduct of his or her duties or studies.  The penalty for Intimidation by Threat of Force or Violence is a fine of up to $500, confinement for not more than six months, or both.

The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
In addition to its constitutional charge of supervising all matters pertaining to public schools, the Superintendent of Public Instruction and its office have numerous and broad responsibilities prescribed in statute, including:

• making rules and regulations necessary for the administration of public education requirements;
• preparing courses of study and other materials and books for the discharge of education duties;
• fulfilling financial responsibilities, including distributing legislatively allocated funds to districts for the operation of the public school system, and awarding numerous state and federally funded grants; and
• satisfying numerous reporting and other duties assigned by the Legislature.

The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction must develop a standard signage form notifying the public of the offenses of Interference by Force or Violence and Intimidation by Threat of Force or Violence and possible penalties of both offenses.  The signage must be displayed at any entrance to a public school gymnasium or auditorium and wherever other public notices are placed at public school athletic fields.

(In support) This bill increases penalties for fighting on public school grounds, including during after school activities.  There are many stories of officials who have been verbally and physically assaulted during school sport activities.  People feel free to intimidate and threaten people who are officiating during school sport activities.  The officials are in vulnerable positions while they are conducting their duties.  This bill makes these offenses class C felonies, instead of gross misdemeanors.  There is hope that the increased penalty will serve as a deterrent.  Serious injuries have happened to school sport referees.  In 2023 the Legislature passed a resolution recognizing the decline in sportsmanship.  This bill would act as a deterrent and send a message that the state cares for officials and the power of sports for youth.  Officiators are followed and assaulted during school sport events.  There is a lack of younger sport officiators.  Over 20 states have passed laws to protect sport officials.  The state is late on acting on this considering the amount of violence that has been perpetrated on sport officials.  Ensuring the safety of students and those that work to give them learning opportunities is paramount.  Sports are a core value in our society.  It is imperative that passion in sports does not escalate to force or violence.  There is a lack of referees that causes events and sports to be cancelled.  Team sports have an immense benefit to children and the community.  Sports tourism is one of the largest contributors of economic growth in the region.  There have been issues of violence around sports all across the state.  This bill, if passed, will support the community norm that it is not okay to be violent in any way connected to community or school sports. 

(Opposed) There will always be fights at school sporting games.  Making these fights criminal offenses will not prevent these incidents.  These offenses are already crimes.  Injuring someone seriously is already a felony; seriously injuring someone is separate from these type of incidents.

(In support) Representative Suzanne Schmidt, prime sponsor; Bob West, Umpires and Referees Stopping Assaults For Ever; Brandi Peetz; Linda Thompson, Washington Association for Substance misuse and Violence Prevention; Wade Harris, Cowlitz County Soccer Officials; Albert Merkel; and Lukas Garcia, Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Preston Dwoskin; Keith Smith; and Misty Griffith.