Bill increasing penalties for interrupting sporting events, concerts heads to DeSantis

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – The Florida Senate unanimously approved increased penalties for people who violate sporting or entertainment events by acts such as running onto a field or jumping onto a stage.

The Florida House had previously approved the bill 109-3.

The bill will head to Gov. Ron DeSantis for his signature.

Bill sponsor Sen. Corey Simon, R-Tallahassee, said there is an increase in the number of incidents where a person interrupts a sporting event.

“At the same time, other people and some companies have encouraged and even incentivize this behavior by paying participants to interrupt the sporting event or performance,” Simon said.

The sponsor explained that currently, a trespass would be issued with a $500 fine, or the person would be arrested.

The bill increases the penalty to a maximum fine of $2,500 for someone who runs onto the field or jumps onto a stage.

A person who solicits another to violate this provision could face a third degree felony.

He said the legislation prohibits someone from receiving any profit from the violation.

Simon said this will prevent people from taking advantage of sporting or concert platforms to boost their own social media or win a bet.

“This is a way for our professional sports teams, our athletes, our folks that are out there putting on performances, traveling all around the country, when they come to the state of Florida, they know that they’re safe,” Simon said.