By Berman H.B. No. 276
77R74 AJA-D
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to limiting civil liability for certain sports officials.
1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-4 SECTION 1. Title 4, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is
1-5 amended by adding Chapter 97 to read as follows:
1-6 CHAPTER 97. LIABILITY OF SPORTS OFFICIALS
1-7 Sec. 97.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "sports
1-8 official" means an individual who:
1-9 (1) serves:
1-10 (A) as a referee, an umpire, or a linesman; or
1-11 (B) in a capacity similar to that of an
1-12 individual described by Subdivision (1)(A); and
1-13 (2) is registered with or is a member of a local,
1-14 state, regional, or national organization that provides education
1-15 and training to individuals described by Subdivision (1).
1-16 Sec. 97.002. LIMITED LIABILITY. A sports official who
1-17 officiates an athletic contest is not liable for civil damages
1-18 arising from an act or omission by the sports official that is
1-19 related to officiating the contest and that occurs in the facility
1-20 in which the contest takes place, unless the act or omission is
1-21 intentional, wilfully or wantonly negligent, or done with conscious
1-22 indifference or reckless disregard for the safety of others.
1-23 SECTION 2. (a) This Act takes effect immediately if it
1-24 receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each
2-1 house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.
2-2 If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate
2-3 effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2001.
2-4 (b) The change in law made by this Act applies only to a
2-5 cause of action that accrues on or after the effective date of
2-6 this Act. A cause of action that accrues before the effective date
2-7 of this Act is governed by the law as it existed immediately before
2-8 that date, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.