SACRAMENTO – California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 708 into law on September 28, 2026, establishing new requirements for youth tackle football leagues and protections for parents regarding player safety equipment. The legislation, authored by Assemblymember Avelino Valencia (D-Anaheim), guarantees parents the right to equip their children with soft-shell helmet add-ons and prohibits helmet manufacturers from voiding warranties solely for their use, a provision that takes effect on January 1, 2027.

This new law aims to put decisions about a child's helmet safety directly in the hands of parents, addressing concerns that previously limited the use of additional protective gear. The move builds upon existing youth football safety initiatives in California, integrating parental choice into the state's framework for protecting young athletes.

California Enacts AB 708: Empowering Parents in Youth Football Safety

Governor Gavin Newsom's signing of Assembly Bill 708 on September 28, 2026, marks a significant development in youth tackle football safety across California. The legislation, championed by Assemblymember Avelino Valencia, guarantees parents the right to choose how their children participate in youth tackle football, specifically by allowing the use of soft-shell add-ons to football helmets. Governor Newsom emphasized the importance of this parental choice, stating, "Parents should have the ability to choose this technology for their children, regardless of where they play, especially during these critical years of cognitive development."

The new law responds to a growing interest in additional protective measures for young athletes, particularly given the use of similar soft-shell add-ons at collegiate and professional levels, including the NFL. This legislative action follows a youth football summit convened by the Governor, which gathered healthcare providers, team administrators, parents, and athletes to discuss safety advancements.

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Key Provisions: Parental Rights and League Obligations

AB 708 introduces specific mandates that directly impact parents, youth tackle football leagues, organizations, and coaches throughout California. Under the new law, parents of youth tackle football players are guaranteed the right to equip their children with soft-shell helmet add-ons, such as the Guardian Cap. This provision ensures that parents can make informed decisions about additional safety equipment for their children.

Correspondingly, every youth tackle football league, organization, and coach in California is now required to allow participants to use this safety equipment. Should a league refuse to comply with this requirement, the new law provides parents with a legal remedy, including the authorization for a court to grant injunctive relief to address a violation or threatened violation. A prevailing plaintiff who obtains injunctive relief would also be entitled to reasonable attorneys' fees and costs.

Protecting Warranties: What Manufacturers Must Know

A crucial aspect of AB 708 addresses long-standing concerns regarding helmet warranties and safety certifications. The law explicitly prohibits helmet manufacturers from voiding a helmet's warranty or safety certification solely because a soft-shell cover was attached. This protection is designed to remove a significant barrier that previously deterred the use of additional safety equipment.

This specific provision regarding manufacturer warranties and safety certifications will take effect on January 1, 2027. It applies to all helmets put into play on or after that date. Jeremy Erspamer, President and CEO of Certor Sports, noted that "For too long, certification and warranty concerns were cited as reasons to keep additional protection off kids' heads," highlighting the impact of this new legal safeguard.

AB 708's Place in California's Youth Football Safety Framework

AB 708 integrates with and complements California's existing comprehensive framework for youth football safety. Prior to this new legislation, the California Youth Football Act already mandated several requirements for youth sports organizations conducting tackle football programs. These existing rules include strict limits on full-contact practices, such as not conducting more than two full-contact practices per week during the preseason and regular season, and prohibiting full-contact practices during the off-season.

Additionally, existing law requires that each football helmet be reconditioned and recertified every other year. AB 708 enhances these measures by adding parental choice for soft-shell add-ons, providing an additional layer of protection that is already utilized at collegiate and professional levels, including the NFL, where such covers have been worn in practice since 2022 and in games since 2024.

Industry and Official Perspectives on the New Law

The signing of AB 708 has been met with commendation from industry leaders and legislative officials. Assemblymember Avelino Valencia underscored the importance of the bill, stating that soft-shell helmet add-ons offer an "additional layer of protection" and that parents should have the ability to choose this technology for their children. He thanked Governor Newsom for prioritizing the health of California's youngest athletes.

Certor Sports, a manufacturer of football helmets, also expressed strong support for the legislation. Jeremy Erspamer, President and CEO of Certor Sports, affirmed that the company has "always supported athlete and parental choice when it comes to soft-shell helmet add-ons," noting that their Schutt and VICIS helmets remained fully warrantied when used with a properly installed Guardian Cap. Erspamer stated that AB 708 now legally protects this choice for young football athletes across California.

Key Provisions and Impact of California's AB 708

Subject Dimension Finding Qualification
Parents of youth tackle football players Parental Choice (Soft-shell Add-ons) Parents are guaranteed the right to equip their children with soft-shell helmet add-ons. This right is specifically for youth tackle football in California.
Youth tackle football leagues, organizations, and coaches League/Coach Requirement Leagues, organizations, and coaches are required to allow participants to use soft-shell helmet add-ons. The law provides a legal remedy if a league refuses.
Helmet manufacturers Manufacturer Warranty Protection Manufacturers are prohibited from voiding warranties or safety certifications solely because a soft-shell cover was attached. This protection applies to helmets put into play on or after January 1, 2027.
Warranty and safety certification protections Effective Date The prohibition against voiding warranties for soft-shell add-ons takes effect on January 1, 2027, for helmets put into play on or after that date. This specific date applies to the manufacturer warranty aspect, not the parental choice aspect which is effective immediately upon signing.
Youth tackle football safety in California Relation to Existing Safety Rules AB 708 complements existing California youth football safety requirements, such as limits on full-contact practices and helmet reconditioning. The law adds parental choice for add-ons to these existing measures.

Navigating the New Landscape of Youth Football Safety

With the enactment of AB 708, parents of youth tackle football players in California now possess a legally protected right to choose soft-shell helmet add-ons for their children. This policy shift necessitates that youth tackle football leagues, organizations, and coaches in California comply with the new requirement to allow such equipment. Helmet manufacturers must also prepare for the warranty protections that will take effect on January 1, 2027, ensuring that warranties and safety certifications are not voided solely due to the attachment of soft-shell covers.

Parents should review AB 708 to understand their rights regarding soft-shell helmet add-ons for youth tackle football players, while leagues and manufacturers must ensure compliance with the new requirements and warranty protections. The measurable indicator of this policy's impact will be compliance updates from youth tackle football leagues and helmet manufacturers, particularly regarding the January 1, 2027, effective date for warranty provisions.

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