Committee advances bill to let parents use soft‑shell helmet add-ons in youth football

The Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports and Tourism Committee unanimously approved AB 708, a measure by committee member Valencia that would allow parents to use soft‑shell helmet add-ons for youth football players and prohibit leagues from banning such equipment.

AB 708 is framed as a parental‑choice safety measure: the author said the soft‑shell add‑on technology, introduced in 2015 and evaluated by Virginia Tech, can reduce concussion risk and is already used in high school, college and professional play. “By giving families this option to utilize this protective equipment, the bill enables parents to take proactive steps to reduce concussion risk,” Valencia said.

There were no witnesses on the record in opposition or in support beyond letters of endorsement cited by committee members. Ms. Quirk Silva moved the bill and asked to be added as a co‑author; she said the measure provides families with an additional safety option and noted the possibility of future foundation support to assist families who cannot afford the add‑ons.

Vice Chair Lackey and other members said the bill represents a less extreme alternative to proposals considered the prior year to ban tackle football entirely and that parental choice combined with technology adoption could increase protective use over time. Committee members highlighted letters of support from the Concussion Legacy Foundation and the California Youth Football Alliance.

The committee recorded a 9-0 vote to move AB 708 out of committee. Members Ward, Lackey, El Hawari, Gonzales, McKenner, Ortega, Quirk Silva, Valencia and Ziburr voted aye. The bill will advance in the legislative process.