Assembly committee advances bill to require youth sports emergency plans, AED maintenance and coach training

AB 310 passed the California State Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports and Tourism Committee on a 9-0 vote after lawmakers and witnesses debated cost and implementation concerns.

The bill would require youth sports organizations to adopt a written emergency response plan that identifies the location of automated external defibrillators (AEDs), establishes procedures for responding to a cardiac emergency, mandates routine maintenance and testing of AEDs, and requires opportunities for coaches to receive training in AED use and CPR. Assemblymember (author) said the measure builds on the California Neveah Youth Sports Safety Act (AB 1467) enacted last year, which required AED availability at sporting events.

Committee members and supporters said sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is the leading cause of death among student athletes and timely intervention is essential. “While AEDs have been proven to save lives, their effectiveness is closely tied to organizations being properly prepared and the timeliness of a response,” Assemblymember (author) said in committee testimony.

Greg Herner, representing the Eric Paredes Save A Life Foundation, told the committee the foundation has placed more than 200 AEDs and provided tens of thousands of trainings. “We want to catch them when they’re at the youth and be able to kind of build on that throughout their life,” Herner said, arguing that exposure and hands-on training increase willingness to use the devices.

Nonprofit youth-sports groups told the committee they support the safety goals but warned the law’s costs could be significant for volunteer-run leagues. Jazzy Goring, representing Cal North Youth Soccer, estimated compliance across Cal North’s member organizations could exceed $15,000,000, saying many leagues are volunteer-run and would struggle to absorb the expense without raising dues. “Our volunteer organizations do amazing work to support our children and we respectfully ask for your help in ensuring that these organizations remain financially stable,” Goring said.

Andrew Donnery of Elk Grove Soccer estimated his organization’s cost to comply at more than $250,000 and noted Elk Grove provided about $267,000 in scholarships last year for families that cannot pay dues. Donnery said some recreational teams operate with no net income and that raising fees could price out low-income players.

Committee members asked supporters and opponents about cost-reduction options, including discounted purchase programs, foundation grants and municipal installation of AEDs at public fields. Herner pointed to the NFL HeartSmart Coalition and other grant programs that offer discounted devices and placements, and said some AEDs can be obtained for about $1,000 while lower-cost units exist. Committee members also discussed that AB 1467 requires availability (readily accessible AEDs) rather than one-per-coach carriage, clarifying a misunderstanding raised during testimony.

After discussion, the committee voted to move AB 310 out of committee with a do-pass recommendation, 9-0. The committee record shows members Ward, Lackey, El Hawari, Gonzales, McKenner, Ortega, Quirk Silva, Valencia and Ziburr voting aye.

The committee and witnesses repeatedly urged work on funding solutions and suggested staff and stakeholders continue to collaborate on grants and discounted procurement to limit the cost burden on volunteer organizations.