TEXAS, USA — Under the state's new Safe Stand Act, Texas sports officials now have the authority to immediately eject fans deemed disruptive from sporting events, eliminating the previous warning system that required the officials to observe repeated negative behavior.

Senate Bill 2929, the Safe Stand Act, implements a "one strike" rule that allows officials to remove spectators acting "inappropriately" on the first offense, a significant change from previous years that required warnings before ejection. Repeat offenders will also face additional consequences under the legislation.

The law comes in response to increased threats of violence against game officials across Texas, as well as the referee shortage currently affecting several youth sports across the state.

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