TALLAHASSEE - (AP) -- Parents, coaches or fans who threaten or assault referees during school games in Florida would be subject to criminal charges under one of several bills Gov. Jeb Bush has signed.

The bill protecting sports officials would allow for fines up to $10,000 and three years in jail for crimes of assault, aggravated assault or aggravated battery.

Florida law already allows increasing the charges in different types of assault when the act is committed against certain public and school officials. The legislation adds ''sports official'' to the list.

Under the bill signed Thursday, the attacker would face the additional first-degree charge for attacking umpires, referees, linesmen or people who work in similar capacities during sporting events.

Many states have laws banning violence against referees. Under a bill passed last year by Illinois lawmakers, offenders would be charged a minimum of $1,000 for battery and could face up to a year in jail for trespassing on a playing field.

New Jersey puts assaults against officials in the same category as assaulting police and other public safety officials. Oregon not only levies fines against violent fans, but forces them to pay between $1,000 to $1,500 to the referee they assault. Minnesota bans fans convicted of violence at games from attending any school events for up to a year.