West Virginia 2025 Regular Session Status: To Executive Bipartisan · 5 R · 1 D cosponsors

SB 531 — Relating to offenses of assault and battery on athletic officials

Last action — Vetoed by Governor 4/30/2025

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House of Delegates
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2025 Regular Session. It reached “To Executive” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

Vetoed by Governor Patrick Morrisey (Republican) on April 30, 2025.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there are no live odds of enactment. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

69 added · 1 removed

Plain-language change summary

The changes made to Bill SB 531 clarify that both athletic officials and participants are recognized as victims of crimes related to sports events. It also sets minimum penalties and fines for offenders, allowing school and university authorities to ban individuals convicted of such crimes from attending future sports events. This is important because it aims to protect both officials and participants from violence and misconduct, creating a safer environment in sporting activities.

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Latest
SB531 SFAT MARTIN #1 4-12Carlisle  7888 Senator Martin moved to amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting therefor a new title, to read as follows:Eng.
WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION Enrolled Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 531 BY SENATORS W OELFEL, LIVERI, HAMILTO, FULLER, WILLI, AYLOR,AND HELTON [Passed April 12, 2025;
Com.
in effect 90 days from passage (July 11, 2025)] Enr CS for CS for SB 531 AN ACT to amend and reenact §61-2-15a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to crimes against athletic officials;
Sub.
for Com.
Sub.
for Senate Bill 531—A BILL to amend and reenact §61-2-15a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to crimes against athletic officials;
and establishing that a violation of the ban is a form of trespass.     AdoptedRejected
and establishing that a violation of the ban is a form of trespass.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
ARTICLE 2.
CRIMES AGAINST THE PERSON.
§61-2-15a.
Assault, battery on athletic officials or participants;
penalties.
(a) Definitions.
— (1) For the purpose of this section, "athletic official" means a person at a sports event, or traveling to or from a sporting event, who enforces the rules of that event, including, but not limited to, an umpire or referee, or a person who supervises the participants, including, but not limited to, a coach, assistant coach, or any other athletic staff.
(2) For the purpose of this section, "participant" means a player on a sports team or any other team members during the course of a game or related sporting event.
(b) If any person commits an assault as defined in §61-2-9(b) of this code, to the person of an athletic official or participant, the offender is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than $250, nor more than $500 and confined in jail not less than five days nor more than six months.
(c) If any person commits a battery, as defined in §61-2-9(c) of this code, against an athletic official or participant, the offender is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than $500, nor more than $1,000 and confined in jail not less than 10 days nor more than 12 months.
Enr CS for CS for SB 531 (d)(1) In addition to the criminal penalties set forth in this section, a county board of education or a governing board for a state institution of higher education may provide written notification to any person convicted of an offense under subsection (b) or subsection (c) of this section that he or she is banned from all state school sports events or school-sponsored sports events as a result of the conviction for a minimum of 365 days.
(2) Any person receiving the written notification set forth in subdivision (1) of this subsection who refuses to leave the premises of any state school sports event or school- sponsored sports event upon request shall be subject to prosecution pursuant to the provisions of §61-3B-1 et seq.
of this code.
Enr CS for CS for SB 531 The Clerk of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Delegates hereby certify that the foregoing bill is correctly enrolled.
...............................................................
Clerk of the Senate ...............................................................
Clerk of the House of Delegates Originated in the Senate.
In effect 90 days from passage.
...............................................................
President of the Senate ...............................................................
Speaker of the House of Delegates __________ The within is ................................................
this the...........................................
Day of ..........................................................................................................., 2025.
.............................................................
Governor 3
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Action History

  1. Vetoed by Governor 4/30/2025

  2. To Governor 4/21/2025

  3. Vetoed by Governor 4/30/2025 - Senate Journal

  4. To Governor 4/21/2025 - House Journal

  5. To Governor 4/21/2025 - Senate Journal

  6. House Message received

  7. Completed legislative action

  8. Communicated to Senate

  9. House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 633)

  10. House received Senate message

  11. Senate requests House to concur

  12. Senate amended House amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 594)

  13. House Message received

  14. Communicated to Senate

  15. Amendment adopted (Voice vote)

  16. Passed House (Roll No. 508)

  17. Read 3rd time

  18. On 3rd reading, Special Calendar

  19. Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)

  20. Read 2nd time

  21. On 2nd reading, Special Calendar

  22. Read 1st time

  23. Immediate consideration

  24. With amendment, do pass

  25. Markup Discussion

  26. To House Judiciary

  27. To Judiciary

  28. Introduced in House

  29. House received Senate message

  30. Ordered to House

  31. Passed Senate (Roll No. 245)

  32. Read 3rd time

  33. On 3rd reading

  34. Read 2nd time

  35. On 2nd reading

  36. Read 1st time

  37. On 1st reading

  38. Committee substitute for committee substitute reported

  39. To Judiciary

  40. Committee substitute reported, but first to Judiciary

  41. To Education

  42. Introduced in Senate

  43. To Education then Judiciary

  44. Filed for introduction

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 5 co-sponsors · 146 not signed on · 1 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (5)

Not signed on (146)

146 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 146 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

PASSAGE-SENATE AMENDED HB

Passed 97 Yea · 0 Nay · 3 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 83002
Democrat 9000
Unaffiliated 5001
Total 97003
% of votes cast 97%0%0%3%
How each member voted (100)
Member Party Vote
Flanigan — Yea
Kump — Yea
Linville — Yea
Devault — Yea
Steele — Not Voting
Clark, T — Yea
Anitra Hamilton Democrat Yea
Evan Hansen Democrat Yea
Hollis Lewis Democrat Yea
John Williams Democrat Yea
Kayla Young Democrat Yea
Mike Pushkin Democrat Yea
Rick Garcia Democrat Yea
Sean Hornbuckle Democrat Yea
Shawn Fluharty Democrat Yea
Adam Burkhammer Republican Yea
Adam Vance Republican Yea
Andy Shamblin Republican Yea
Betsy Kelly Republican Yea
Bill Ridenour Republican Yea
Bob Fehrenbacher Republican Yea
Bryan Smith Republican Yea
Bryan Ward Republican Yea
Carl "Bill" Roop Republican Yea
Carl Martin Republican Yea
Charles Sheedy Republican Yea
Chris Phillips Republican Yea
Christopher W. Toney Republican Yea
Chuck Horst Republican Yea
Clay Riley Republican Yea
D. Rolland Jennings Republican Yea
Dana Ferrell Republican Yea
Dave Foggin Republican Yea
David Cannon Republican Yea
David Green Republican Yea
David McCormick Republican Yea
Dean Jeffries Republican Yea
Doug Smith Republican Yea
Elias Coop-Gonzalez Republican Yea
Eric Brooks Republican Yea
Erica Moore Republican Yea
Evan Worrell Republican Yea
Gary G. Howell Republican Yea
Geno Chiarelli Republican Yea
George Miller Republican Yea
George Street Republican Yea
Henry Dillon Republican Yea
Ian T. Masters Republican Yea
James Robert "JB" Akers II Republican Yea
Jarred Cannon Republican Yea
Jeff Campbell Republican Yea
Jeff Eldridge Republican Yea
Jeffrey Stephens Republican Yea
Jim Butler Republican Yea
Jimmy Willis Republican Yea
Joe Ellington Republican Yea
Joe Funkhouser Republican Yea
Joe Parsons Republican Yea
Joe Statler Republican Yea
John Paul Hott Republican Yea
Jonathan Kyle Republican Yea
Jonathan Pinson Republican Yea
Jordan Bridges Republican Yea
Jordan Maynor Republican Yea
Josh Holstein Republican Yea
Kathie Hess Crouse Republican Yea
Keith Marple Republican Yea
Laura Kimble Republican Yea
Lisa White Republican Yea
Lori Dittman Republican Yea
Margitta Mazzocchi Republican Yea
Mark Dean Republican Yea
Mark Zatezalo Republican Yea
Marshall W. Clay Republican Not Voting
Marty Gearheart Republican Yea
Matthew Rohrbach Republican Yea
Michael Amos Republican Yea
Michael Hite Republican Yea
Michael Hornby Republican Yea
Mickey Petitto Republican Yea
Pat McGeehan Republican Not Voting
Patrick Lucas Republican Yea
Phil Mallow Republican Yea
Ray Canterbury Republican Yea
Rick Hillenbrand Republican Yea
Roger Hanshaw Republican Yea
Roy Cooper Republican Yea
Ryan Browning Republican Yea
S. Chris Anders Republican Yea
Sarah Drennan Republican Yea
Scot C. Heckert Republican Yea
Stanley Adkins Republican Yea
Trenton Barnhart Republican Yea
Tresa Howell Republican Yea
Tristan Leavitt Republican Yea
Vacant1 Republican Yea
Vernon Criss Republican Yea
Walter Hall Republican Yea
Wayne Clark Republican Yea
William Anderson Republican Yea

Official roll call →

PASSAGE

Passed 97 Yea · 0 Nay · 3 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 82003
Democrat 9000
Unaffiliated 6000
Total 97003
% of votes cast 97%0%0%3%
How each member voted (100)
Member Party Vote
Kump — Yea
Flanigan — Yea
Linville — Yea
Steele — Yea
Devault — Yea
Clark, T — Yea
Anitra Hamilton Democrat Yea
Evan Hansen Democrat Yea
Hollis Lewis Democrat Yea
John Williams Democrat Yea
Kayla Young Democrat Yea
Mike Pushkin Democrat Yea
Rick Garcia Democrat Yea
Sean Hornbuckle Democrat Yea
Shawn Fluharty Democrat Yea
Adam Burkhammer Republican Yea
Adam Vance Republican Yea
Andy Shamblin Republican Yea
Betsy Kelly Republican Yea
Bill Ridenour Republican Yea
Bob Fehrenbacher Republican Yea
Bryan Smith Republican Yea
Bryan Ward Republican Yea
Carl "Bill" Roop Republican Yea
Carl Martin Republican Yea
Charles Sheedy Republican Yea
Chris Phillips Republican Yea
Christopher W. Toney Republican Yea
Chuck Horst Republican Yea
Clay Riley Republican Yea
D. Rolland Jennings Republican Yea
Dana Ferrell Republican Yea
Dave Foggin Republican Yea
David Cannon Republican Yea
David Green Republican Not Voting
David McCormick Republican Yea
Dean Jeffries Republican Yea
Doug Smith Republican Yea
Elias Coop-Gonzalez Republican Yea
Eric Brooks Republican Yea
Erica Moore Republican Yea
Evan Worrell Republican Yea
Gary G. Howell Republican Yea
Geno Chiarelli Republican Yea
George Miller Republican Yea
George Street Republican Yea
Henry Dillon Republican Yea
Ian T. Masters Republican Yea
James Robert "JB" Akers II Republican Yea
Jarred Cannon Republican Yea
Jeff Campbell Republican Yea
Jeff Eldridge Republican Yea
Jeffrey Stephens Republican Yea
Jim Butler Republican Yea
Jimmy Willis Republican Yea
Joe Ellington Republican Yea
Joe Funkhouser Republican Yea
Joe Parsons Republican Yea
Joe Statler Republican Yea
John Paul Hott Republican Yea
Jonathan Kyle Republican Yea
Jonathan Pinson Republican Yea
Jordan Bridges Republican Yea
Jordan Maynor Republican Yea
Josh Holstein Republican Yea
Kathie Hess Crouse Republican Yea
Keith Marple Republican Yea
Laura Kimble Republican Yea
Lisa White Republican Yea
Lori Dittman Republican Yea
Margitta Mazzocchi Republican Yea
Mark Dean Republican Yea
Mark Zatezalo Republican Yea
Marshall W. Clay Republican Yea
Marty Gearheart Republican Yea
Matthew Rohrbach Republican Yea
Michael Amos Republican Not Voting
Michael Hite Republican Yea
Michael Hornby Republican Yea
Mickey Petitto Republican Yea
Pat McGeehan Republican Yea
Patrick Lucas Republican Yea
Phil Mallow Republican Yea
Ray Canterbury Republican Yea
Rick Hillenbrand Republican Yea
Roger Hanshaw Republican Yea
Roy Cooper Republican Yea
Ryan Browning Republican Yea
S. Chris Anders Republican Yea
Sarah Drennan Republican Yea
Scot C. Heckert Republican Yea
Stanley Adkins Republican Yea
Trenton Barnhart Republican Yea
Tresa Howell Republican Yea
Tristan Leavitt Republican Yea
Vacant1 Republican Yea
Vernon Criss Republican Yea
Walter Hall Republican Yea
Wayne Clark Republican Yea
William Anderson Republican Not Voting

Official roll call →

Passage

Passed 33 Yea · 1 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 28100
Unaffiliated 3000
Democrat 2000
Total 33100
% of votes cast 97%3%0%0%
How each member voted (34)
Member Party Vote
STUART — Yea
BOLEY — Yea
MR PRESIDENT — Yea
Joey Garcia Democrat Yea
Mike Woelfel Democrat Yea
Amy Grady Republican Yea
Anne B. Charnock Republican Yea
Ben Queen Republican Yea
Bill Hamilton Republican Yea
Brian Helton Republican Yea
Charles H. Clements Republican Yea
Chris Rose Republican Yea
Craig A. Hart Republican Yea
Darren Thorne Republican Nay
Eric Tarr Republican Yea
Glenn Jeffries Republican Yea
Jack Woodrum Republican Yea
Jason Barrett Republican Yea
Jay Taylor Republican Yea
Laura Wakim Chapman Republican Yea
Mark R. Maynard Republican Yea
Mike Azinger Republican Yea
Mike Oliverio Republican Yea
Patricia Rucker Republican Yea
Patrick Martin Republican Yea
Robbie Morris Republican Yea
Rollan A. Roberts Republican Yea
Rupie Phillips Republican Yea
Ryan Weld Republican Yea
Scott Fuller Republican Yea
T. Kevan Bartlett Republican Yea
Tom Takubo Republican Yea
Tom Willis Republican Yea
Vince Deeds Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety education
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 531?
SB 531 is sponsored by Mike Woelfel (Democrat), Mike Oliverio (Republican), Scott Fuller (Republican), Jay Taylor (Republican), Brian Helton (Republican), and Bill Hamilton (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 531?
This bill died with 2025 Regular Session. It reached “To Executive” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track SB 531?
Track SB 531 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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