Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §18.2-416 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§18.2-416. Punishment for using abusive language to another.
If any person shall, in the presence or hearing of another,
curse or abuse such other person, or use any violent abusive language to such
person concerning himself or any of his relations, or otherwise use such
language, under circumstances reasonably calculated to provoke a breach of the
peace, he shall be is guilty of a Class 3
misdemeanor. If any person
violates this section where such other person is a sports official, he is
guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. For purposes of this section, "sports
official" means an umpire, referee, judge, scorekeeper, timekeeper, or
other participant who is a neutral participant in a sports event.