Youth Tackle Football—Proposed Legislation

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was scheduled to be voted on by the Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media on the 1st May, but was withdrawn on the 26th April.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

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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

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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

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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

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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 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

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