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Committee approves AB 708 to permit soft-shell helmet add-ons for youth football
Summary
AB 708, introduced by Assemblymember Valencia, would allow parents to use soft-shell helmet add-ons in youth football leagues that currently prohibit them; the committee passed the bill 9-0.
The Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports and Tourism Committee voted unanimously to advance Assembly Bill 708, which would permit parents to add soft-shell helmet padding to youth football helmets when permitted by a parent, even if some leagues had previously prohibited the add-ons.
Assemblymember A. Bueno Diaz introduced the bill on behalf of Assemblymember Valencia, saying the technology was introduced by the National Football League in February 2015 and that Virginia Tech testing shows the devices can reduce concussion risk by up to 25 percent. “By giving families this option to utilize this protective equipment, the bill enables parents to take proactive steps to reduce concussion risk,” the author said.
Supporters cited letters and endorsements from the Concussion Legacy Foundation and the California Youth Football Alliance, which were described in committee discussion. No witnesses were recorded on the public record opposing the measure at the hearing.
Committee members praised the bill as a compromise after prior contentious debate over football safety and emphasized parental choice. Ms. Quirk Silva said the bill gives parents “the choice of additional support” and indicated willingness to be a coauthor; Vice Chair Lackey said the measure is preferable to broader restrictions considered previously.
The committee moved AB 708 out of committee on a 9-0 roll call. The author and committee members said the bill is intended to give parents an option to use additional protective equipment and to build broader acceptance of safety technology in the sport.
