The proposed California Assembly Bill 734 is concise and clear in its directive: starting from January 1, 2026, youth sports organizations and leagues conducting tackle football programs will be prohibited from allowing children under the age of 12 to participate. This legislation is a response to growing concerns about concussions and brain trauma associated with tackle football.
Assemblyman Kevin McCarty introduced AB 734 last year, and it recently passed a legislative committee vote of 5 to 2. The bill will now be considered by the 80-member Assembly and, if passed, will need to go through the 40-member Senate before reaching Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk.
Research has shown that tackle football can cause brain damage, with the risk increasing the longer individuals play the sport. Even hits that do not result in diagnosed concussions can have adverse effects on young players. While no state has banned tackle football for kids, similar bills introduced in California, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Maryland in the past have failed to pass.
AB 734 follows the 2021 California Youth Football Act, which mandates concussion and head-injury education for tackle football coaches and provides similar information to parents. The act also requires youth tackle football leagues to assist in tracking sports injuries.
Under AB 734, children under the age of 12 would be allowed to play flag football, which has gained popularity among both boys and girls. The bill acknowledges that football and organized sports are beneficial for children and aims to transition from tackle football to flag football while maintaining the same learning experiences.
High school tackle football participation has been declining in California, although it saw a 5% increase in 2023. The CIF reported a drop in participation from a peak of 103,725 players in 2015 to 84,626 players in 2022, an 18% decrease.
An amendment to AB 734 states that the implementation of the bill would be phased in. Children under the age of 6 would be prohibited from playing tackle football starting in 2025, followed by children under 10 in 2027, and children under 12 in 2029.
Assemblyman Tom Lackey, one of two committee members who voted against the bill, expressed trust in parents and coaches to make decisions in the best interests of their children. However, Assemblymember Mike Gipson, chair of the committee, emphasized the importance of protecting children’s brains and highlighted the benefits of flag football as an alternative.
If passed, the proposed law would allow 12-year-olds to gain three years of tackle football experience before entering high school in the ninth grade.
