§3205. Local option; sports

This section may be referred to in proceedings of city governments and in warrants for town meetings as "The Sunday Amateur Sports Law."

In any municipality that shall so vote, as provided, it shall be lawful to engage in as a participant, manager or official, or to attend as a spectator any outdoor recreational or competitive amateur sport or game, except boxing, horse racing, air circuses or wrestling between the hours of 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday.

This section shall not be effective in any city until the municipal officers of a city so vote or in any town until an article in a town warrant so providing has been adopted at any annual or special town meeting. When a municipality has voted in favor of adopting this section, said section shall be effective until repealed in the same manner.

Municipalities adopting the provisions hereof may designate certain areas or places in said municipalities in which said outdoor amateur games and sports may be engaged in, and may pass regulations concerning said areas and places to the end that persons attending places of public worship may not be disturbed therein. No regulations shall be passed which shall prohibit the receiving of remuneration by any proprietor or owner of such areas or places, or the taking of collections at any such amateur sport or game.

The municipal officers of cities shall take action upon the acceptance hereof upon receipt of a petition therefor signed by at least 100 registered voters in said city and shall hold such public hearings thereon as they may deem necessary. The selectmen or other municipal officers of towns shall insert an article in the warrant for the next annual town meeting for the acceptance of the provisions of this section after receipt of a petition therefor signed by at least 25 registered voters of such town.

Any person violating any of the provisions of this section or any regulation of a municipality made in connection therewith shall upon conviction be punished by a fine of $5 and costs of prosecution.