GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1993

S	1 

SENATE BILL 30

Short Title:  Qualified Immunity/Sports Officials.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Senators Conder; and Smith.
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Referred to:  Judiciary II.
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February 3, 1993

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH QUALIFIED IMMUNITY FOR SPORTS OFFICIALS.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  Chapter 1 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new Article to read:
"ARTICLE 43E.
"Qualified Immunity for Sports Officials.
"§ 1-539.25.  Immunity from civil liability for sports officials.
(a)	A sports official who officiates an athletic contest at any level of competition in this State shall not be liable to any person or entity in any civil action for injuries or damages claimed to have arisen from any act or omission related in any manner to officiating duties within the confines of the athletic facility at which the athletic contest is played.
(b)	Nothing in this Article shall be construed to grant the immunity set forth in subsection (a) of this section to a sports official who causes injury or damage to a person or entity by any act or omission that is intentional, willful, wanton, reckless, malicious, or grossly negligent.
"§ 1-539.26.  Definition.
As used in this Article, 'sports official' means an individual who serves as a referee, umpire, linesman, or an individual who serves in a similar capacity but may be 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."
Sec. 2.  This act is effective upon ratification and applies to all causes of action filed on or after the effective date of this act, including those which allege an act or omission of a sports official which occurred prior to the effective date of this act.