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Youth Tackle Football—Proposed Legislation

With increasing attention focused on football and the risk of brain injury, legislation has been proposed in several states to ban youth tackle football.

We created an interactive map and timeline to keep track of proposals and legislation.

There are only 6 states with active proposals. Hopefully, more states will follow over the coming months and we will keep the map (and this guide) updated with new developments.

youth tackle football

Instructions

  1. Click on a State for details of proposed legislation.
  2. States with current proposed legislation are highlighted in orange.
2024-01-07
Hearing announced for Assembly Member Kevin McCarty's youth tackle football bill in California
AB 734, which proposes a ban on tackle football in California until players reach the age of 12, will be heard on 10th January 2024 in the Assembly Committee for Arts, Entertainment, Sports and Tourism at the State Capitol.
2023-02-13
New Bill Filed In California Proposing Ban On Tackle Football For Children Under Age 12

State Assembly Member Kevin McCarty files bill AB734, which proposes a ban on tackle football for children under the age of 12 in California. If successful, the prohibition would take effect on January 1st 2026.

2023-02-08
John Mackey Youth Football Protection Act Reintroduced in New York State

New York Assemblyman Michael Benedetto reintroduces the John Mackey Youth Football Protection Act, which proposes a ban on tackle football for children under the age of 12 in New York State.

2019-10-29
Public Hearing On "An Act to amend the public health law, in relation to prohibiting children twelve years old and younger from playing tackle football" (New York)

Lawmakers in New York hold public hearing on Assemblyman Michael Benedetto’s bill to prohibit children twelve years old and younger from playing organized tackle football in the state of New York.

2019-10-22
Public Hearing On "An Act for No Organized Head Impacts to Schoolchildren" (Massachusetts)

Lawmakers in Massachusetts hold public hearing on Rep. Paul A. Schmid III’s bill to prohibit children in the seventh grade or lower grade levels from playing tackle football at school or in youth sports leagues in the state of Massachusetts.

Boston 25 News

2019-07-31
AB-1 Youth athletics: California Youth Football Act (California)

California governor Gavin Newson signs the AB-1 Youth athletics: California Youth Football Act, which:

  1. Limits full contact practice to no more than 30 minutes per day for two days a week
  2. Bans full contact practice for youth football teams during the offseason
  3. Requires a medical professional to be present for all games
  4. Requires an independent person to attend all practice sessions, with the authority to remove players showing signs of injury

California Legislative Information

2019-02-20
An Act for No Organized Head Impacts to Schoolchildren (Massachusetts)

8th Bristol District state Rep. Paul A. Schmid III and 20th Middlesex District state Rep. Bradley H. Jones Jr. sponsor “An Act for No Organized Head Impacts to Schoolchildren” which would prohibit children in the seventh grade or lower grade levels from playing tackle football at school or in youth sports leagues in the state of Massachusetts.
The Herald News

2018-12-13
Seattle Children's Research Institute and UW Medicine's Sports Health and Safety Institute Study

A study by Seattle Children’s Research Institute and UW Medicine’s Sports Health and Safety Institute found concussion rates among football players ages 5-14 were higher than previously reported, with five out of every 100 youth, or 5%, sustaining a football-related concussion each season.
EurekAlert!

2018-09-12
Aspen Institute Study

The Aspen Institute’s Sports & Society Program releases a white paper suggesting that flag football should be adopted as the standard for youth programs until high school.
Aspen Institute’s Sports & Society Program

2018-04-26
California Bill Withdrawn

The “Safe Youth Football Act” is withdrawn by Assemblyman Kevin McCarty, D-Sacramento prior to vote.
San Diego Tribune

2018-03-30
Legislation Introduced In New Jersey

A- 3760: Legislation introduced by Assembly member, Vainieri-Huttle would prohibit children under the age of 12 from participating in tackle football programs offered by a youth team organization.
TAPinto

2018-03-07
Illinois Legislation Withdrawn Pending Amendments

State Rep. Carol Sente announced that she was withdrawing the proposed legislation from consideration pending amendments.
WJOL

2018-03-05
Maryland House Committee Rejects Legislation

The Maryland House of Delegates, Ways and Means Committee voted to rejected legislation which would have prohibited tackling in football and heading in soccer by kids in elementary and middle school.
The Baltimore Sun

2018-03-01
Under 12 Tackle Football Ban Passes House Committee In Illinois

The Dave Duerson Act (House Bill 4341) passed out of the Illinois House mental health committee on an 11-9 vote. The bill will now pass to the full House for a full debate and vote.
The State Journal Register

2018-02-09
Bill Filed In Maryland General Assembly

State Del. Terri Hill files a bill in the Maryland General Assembly to ban tackle football for children under 14.
Baltimore Sun

2018-02-08
Safe Youth Football Act (California)

Assemblymembers Kevin McCarty (D – Sacramento) and Lorena Gonzales Fletcher (D – San Diego) announce the “Safe Youth Football Act” to protect children from brain injury by establishing a minimum age to play in organized tackle football programs.
Press Release

2018-01-25
Dave Duerson Act To Prevent CTE (Illinois)

State Rep. Carol Sente announces the “The Dave Duerson Act to Prevent CTE”, which proposes to ban tackle football for children under the age of 12 in the state of Illinois.
Sports Illustrated

2018-01-24
John Mackey Youth Football Protection Act (New York)

Assemblyman Michael Bennedetto announces the “John Mackey Youth Football Protection Act”, which proposes to ban tackle football for children under the age of 12 in the state of New York.
New York Times

hide states with no current proposals

Alaska

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Alaska.

Alabama

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Alabama.

Arizona

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Arizona.

Arkansas

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Arkansas.

California

Assemblymembers Kevin McCarty (D- Sacramento) and Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D – San Diego) introduced a bill called the “Safe Youth Football Act” in February 2018.

The bill was scheduled to be voted on by the Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media on the 1st May, but was withdrawn on the 26th April.

On the 13th February 2023, a new bill, AB734, was filed by Assembly Member Kevin McCarty, which proposes a ban on tackle football for children under the age of 12 in California. If successful, the prohibition would take effect on January 1st 2026.

On the 7th January 2024, it was announced that a hearing for the bill would take place in the Assembly Committee for Arts, Entertainment, Sports and Tourism at the State Capitol on the 10th January.

On the 31st July 2019, California governor Gavin Newson signed a law that:

  1. Limits full contact practice to no more than 30 minutes per day for two days a week
  2. Bans full contact practice for youth football teams during the offseason
  3. Requires a medical professional to be present for all games
  4. Requires an independent person to attend all practice sessions, with the authority to remove players showing signs of injury

Further Reading:

  1. Fox 40 (bill AB734 hearing)
  2. The San Francisco Standard (bill AB734)
  3. East Bay Times
  4. AB-1 Youth athletics: California Youth Football Act
  5. Kevin McCarty
  6. SFGate
  7. San Diego Union-Tribune

Download Press Release (Right click > “Save As”)

Colorado

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Colorado.

Connecticut

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Connecticut.

Delaware

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Delaware.

Florida

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Florida.

Georgia

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Georgia.

Hawaii

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Hawaii.

Idaho

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Idaho.

Illinois

“The Dave Duerson Act to Prevent CTE” was unveiled in January 2018, and proposes to ban tackle football for children under the age of 12 in the state of Illinois.

The bill was introduced by State Rep. Carol Sente, a democrat from Vernon Hills.

On the 1st March 2018, the bill passed out of the Illinois House mental health committee on an 11-9 vote. The bill will now pass to the full House for a full debate and vote.

On the 5th March 2018, State Rep. Carol Sente announced that she was withdrawing the proposed legislation from consideration pending amendments.

Further reading:

  1. Sports Illustrated
  2. The State Journal Register
  3. WJOL

Download bill (Right click > “Save As”)

Indiana

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Indiana.

Iowa

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Iowa.

Kansas

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Kansas.

Kentucky

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Kentucky.

Louisiana

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Louisiana.

Maine

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Maine.

Maryland

In February 2018, State Del. Terri Hill filed a bill in the Maryland General Assembly to ban tackle football for children under 14.

The bill also proposes that concussion education be required before children over 14 are allowed to participate in tackle football.

Additionally, there are proposals for restrictions in headers (soccer) and checking (lacrosse) before high school.

On the 5th March 2018, The Maryland House of Delegates, Ways and Means Committee voted to rejected legislation which would have prohibited tackling in football and heading in soccer by kids in elementary and middle school.

Further reading:

  1. Baltimore Sun
  2. Baltimore Sun

Download bill (Right click > “Save As”)

Massachusetts

In February 2019, 8th Bristol District state Rep. Paul A. Schmid III and 20th Middlesex District state Rep. Bradley H. Jones Jr. sponsored “An Act for No Organized Head Impacts to Schoolchildren” which would prohibit children in the seventh grade or lower grade levels from playing tackle football at school or in youth sports leagues in the state of Massachusetts.

On 22nd October 2019, lawmakers in Massachusetts held a public hearing debating the bill.

Further reading:

  1. The Herald News
  2. Daily Free Press
  3. Boston 25 News

Download bill (Right click > “Save As”)

Michigan

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Michigan.

Minnesota

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Minnesota.

Mississippi

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Mississippi.

Missouri

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Missouri.

Montana

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Montana.

Nebraska

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Nebraska.

Nevada

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Nevada.

New Hampshire

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for New Hampshire.

New Jersey

In March 2018, legislation was introduced by Assembly member, Vainieri-Huttle which would prohibit children under the age of 12 from participating in tackle football programs offered by a youth team organization.

Further Reading:

  1. TAPinto

New Mexico

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for New Mexico.

New York

In October 2019, lawmakers in New York held a public hearing on Assemblyman Michael Benedetto’s bill (A02692) to prohibit children twelve years old and younger from playing organized tackle football in the state of New York.

The Assembly Health Committee earlier this year voted to advance NY A 1269 (17R), which would have banned tackle football for children under 12, and NY A5745 (17R), which would have mandated that parents receive information on concussions if their child is playing tackle football. Neither bill passed.

In February 2023, New York Assemblyman Michael Benedetto reintroduced the John Mackey Youth Football Protection Act, which proposes a ban on tackle football for children under the age of 12 in New York State.

Further reading:

  1. Fox News (Feb 2023)
  2. New York Post
  3. New York State Assembly
  4. New York Times
  5. CBS Local
  6. Lohud

Download bill (Right click > “Save As”)

North Carolina

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for North Carolina.

North Dakota

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for North Dakota.

Ohio

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Ohio.

Oklahoma

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Oklahoma.

Oregon

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Oregon.

Pennsylvania

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Pennsylvania.

Rhode Island

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Rhode Island.

South Carolina

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for South Carolina.

South Dakota

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for South Dakota.

Tennessee

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Tennessee.

Texas

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Texas.

Utah

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Utah.

Vermont

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Vermont.

Virginia

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Virginia.

Washington

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Washington.

West Virginia

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for West Virginia.

Wisconsin

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Wisconsin.

Wyoming

We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Wyoming.

Studies/Research

Organizations Supporting Ban On Tackle Football

News/Press

Editorials/Opinion Pieces (Supporting Ban)

Editiorials/Opinion Pieces (Opposing Ban)

Events/Debates

Further Reading

About The Authors

This information was compiled by Shana De Caro & Michael V. Kaplen to impart significant material on legislative proposals to restrict tackle football and prevent brain injury and brain damage in our nation’s youth.

The authors were amicus counsel to the Brain Injury Association of America and wrote the amicus briefs on behalf of the Association to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court opposing the NFL class action brain injury settlement proposal. Shana De Caro is the secretary and member of the board of directors of the Brain Injury Association of America. Michael V. Kaplen chairs the New York State Traumatic Brain Injury Services Coordinating Council and is past president of the Brain Injury Association of New York State. They have each chaired the Traumatic Brain
Injury Litigation Group of the American Association for Justice, are co-authors of the “Current Issues in Neurolaw” Chapter in Traumatic Brain Injury: Defining Best Practice, Psychiatric Clinics of North America, and serve on the Board of Directors of the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers

Press/Media Inquiries

The partners at De Caro & Kaplen are available for comment on news and developments in tackle football legislation. See our press & media page for more details.

All Graphics and information included on this page may be republished with link attribution to:
https://brainlaw.com/youth-tackle-football/