Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA southern Indiana boy has successfully spurred a change in state law that will allow sports leagues to hire youngsters like him as referees.
Thirteen-year-old Matthew Burkart of Newburgh was at the Statehouse on Tuesday as Gov. Mike Pence signed the bill making the change into law.
The change that takes effect immediately adds youth sports officials to the list of jobs for which children younger than 14 can be hired. State law previously had exceptions for golf caddies, farm workers and newspaper carriers.
Matthew testified before a legislative committee about the bill, saying the change will get more children off the couches and iPads. He hopes to referee soccer games before his next birthday.
Please enable JavaScript to view this content.