The proposed law is striking for its brevity. Sure, the single sentence is a little confusing, but California Assembly Bill 734 leaves no doubt about its directive:
“Commencing January 1, 2026, a youth sports organization conducting a tackle football program, or a youth tackle football league, shall not permit a person under the age of 12 to participate in tackle football. youth through the organization or league. .”
An American rite of passage since shortly after World War II — donning a helmet and shoulder pads and learning to block and tackle — would be banned until adolescence begins. The proposed legislation stems from growing concerns about concussions and other brain trauma.
AB 734 was introduced last year by Assemblyman Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), not to be confused with former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield), and cleared its first hurdle Wednesday when a committee Legislature voted 5 to 2 in favor of the measure to be considered by the 80-member Assembly next week.
The bill would also have to be approved by the 50-member Senate before reaching Gov. Gavin Newsom's desk.
Research has shown that American football causes brain damage and the risk increases the longer you play the sport. Repeated concussions can cause chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which has been documented through brain studies of numerous deceased football players. The disease can cause memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, aggression and dementia.
A 2016 study found that a single season of football can affect the brains of players as young as 8 years old. The researchers concluded that even hits that did not result in a diagnosed concussion produced adverse effects.
No state has banned football for children, but there have been attempts to do so. Similar bills previously introduced in California, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts and Maryland failed to pass.
The proposed law comes on the heels of the California Youth Football Act of 2021, which requires football coaches to complete concussion and head injury education and for parents of participating youth to receive similar information. The law also requires youth soccer leagues to help track youth sports injuries.
AB 734 would allow youth under 12 to play flag football, which has increased in popularity not only among boys but also girls. The sport was sanctioned by the California Interscholastic Federation for girls for the first time in 2023, and 114 high schools fielded teams in the CIF Southern Section alone.
“Football and organizational sports in general are proven ways to keep kids out of trouble,” said Assemblyman Mike Gipson (D-Carson), chairman of the committee that voted for the bill. “This bill does not eliminate that ability; “It's just saying we're going from football to flag football and we can still have the same learning experiences.”
High school football has been declining in California, although it increased 5% in 2023. Participation fell from a high of 103,725 players in 2015 to 84,626 players in 2022, more than 18%, according to the CIF.
An amendment to AB 734 approved by the committee Wednesday stipulates that implementation of the bill would be phased in. Children under 6 years old would be banned from playing American football starting in 2025, followed by children under 10 years old in 2027 and children under 12 years old in 2029.
“Children only have one brain and they only have one life, and there is irreversible damage to children's brains that is totally unnecessary,” McCarty said during the hearing.
About 50 youth soccer coaches, parents and players attended the hearing to voice their opposition to the bill. When members of the public who were in favor of the bill were invited to testify, only one person did so.
“In the communities I grew up in and currently represent, football is not simply an American pastime, it is a central event that unites tight-knit communities and integrates surrounding areas,” said Assemblyman Tom Lackey (R-Palmdale ). , one of two committee members who voted against the bill. “I trust [parents and coaches] Know what is best for your children.
Most 12-year-olds are in sixth grade, the first year they would be allowed to play football under the proposed law. That would give them three years of experience before starting high school in ninth grade.
