S-3958               _______________________________________________

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 6257

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1988 Regular Session

By Senators West, Talmadge, von Reichbauer, McDonald, Deccio, McCaslin, Warnke, Nelson, Hayner, Metcalf, DeJarnatt and Johnson

Read first time 1/15/88 and referred to Committee on Law & Justice.

AN ACT Relating to civil liability for sports officials; adding a new section to chapter 4.24 RCW; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 4.24 RCW to read as follows:

          (1) A sports official who officiates athletic contests at any level of competition in this state is not individually liable for any discretionary decision  or failure to make a discretionary decision within his or her official capacity as a sports official unless the decision or failure to decide constitutes gross negligence.

          (2) As used in this section, "sports official" means an individual who serves as referee, umpire, or linesman, or who serves in a similar capacity but is known by another title, and is duly registered or a member of a local, state, regional, or national organization which is engaged in part in providing education and training to sports officials.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     This act applies to all actions commenced on or after the effective date of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.