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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 5 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.
(click on a State for details of proposed legislation)
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
The “Safe Youth Football Act” is withdrawn by Assemblyman Kevin McCarty, D-Sacramento prior to vote.
San Diego Tribune
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
State Rep. Carol Sente announced that she was withdrawing the proposed legislation from consideration pending amendments.
WJOL
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
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
State Del. Terri Hill files a bill in the Maryland General Assembly to ban tackle football for children under 14.
Baltimore Sun
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
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
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
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Alaska.
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Alabama.
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Arizona.
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Arkansas.
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.
Further Reading:
Download Press Release (Right click > “Save As”)
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Colorado.
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Connecticut.
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Delaware.
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Florida.
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Georgia.
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Hawaii.
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Idaho.
“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:
Download bill (Right click > “Save As”)
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Indiana.
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Iowa.
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Kansas.
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Kentucky.
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Louisiana.
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Maine.
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:
Download bill (Right click > “Save As”)
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Massachusetts.
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Michigan.
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Minnesota.
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Mississippi.
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Missouri.
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Montana.
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Nebraska.
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Nevada.
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for New Hampshire.
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:
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for New Mexico.
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.
Further reading:
Download bill (Right click > “Save As”)
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for North Carolina.
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for North Dakota.
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Ohio.
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Oklahoma.
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Oregon.
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Pennsylvania.
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Rhode Island.
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for South Carolina.
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for South Dakota.
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Tennessee.
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Texas.
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Utah.
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Vermont.
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Virginia.
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Washington.
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for West Virginia.
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Wisconsin.
We are not aware of any current pending legislation for Wyoming.
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.
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https://brainlaw.com/youth-tackle-football/
