FLORIDA, USA — Florida football fans might want to reconsider rushing the field if a new bill that would penalize anyone who "interferes" with the game passes.
Earlier this week, Sen. Corey Simon (R-Tallahassee) introduced SB-764, which could penalize anyone who “interferes” with live sports or other entertainment before, during, and after an event.
Simon, a former defensive lineman at Florida State University, said fans could face first-degree misdemeanor charges, which carry up to a year in jail and fines up to $2,500, if they "knowingly enter or remain unlawfully upon the covered area of a sporting or entertainment event," the bill text reads.
A summary of the bill reads:
An act relating to interference with sporting or entertainment events; creating s. 871.05, F.S.; defining terms; prohibiting certain actions during covered sporting and entertainment events; providing criminal penalties; prohibiting a person from profiting or benefitting from violations; providing for forfeiture and distribution of profits from a violation; providing an effective date.”
If the bill becomes law, it would go into effect Oct. 1, 2023.