Bill > AB708

This bill modifies the California Youth Football Act by requiring youth tackle football leagues, sports organizations, and coaches to allow young football participants to use additional safety equipment, specifically soft-shelled add-ons on football helmets. The bill provides legal recourse for enforcing this requirement, allowing courts to grant injunctions (court orders) to remedy violations or potential violations of the safety equipment provision. If a plaintiff successfully obtains an injunction, they would be entitled to recover reasonable attorney's fees and legal costs. This legislation builds upon existing youth football safety regulations, which already limit full-contact practices and require regular helmet reconditioning, by introducing a new layer of optional protective equipment to help reduce potential injuries for young athletes. The bill aims to enhance player safety by giving youth football participants more options for protective gear during practices and games.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry, Health and Social Services, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB708