California Youth Football Act: safety equipment

The law protects players' ability to use added helmet protection and limits when that equipment can void a helmet's warranty or safety certification.

What the law does ​

• Requires youth tackle football leagues, organizations, and coaches to allow participants to use safety equipment, including soft-shell helmet add-ons.
• Allows courts to issue restraining orders or injunctions for actual or threatened violations.
• Awards reasonable attorney’s fees and costs to plaintiffs who obtain injunctive relief.
• Bars voiding a warranty or safety certification for a helmet put into play on or after January 1, 2027, solely because of a soft-shell add-on, unless the add-on substantially damages a currently manufacturer-certified helmet.

Who it affects ​

• Youth tackle football participants.
• Youth tackle football leagues, sports organizations, and coaches.
• Football helmet manufacturers and warranty or certification providers.