Existing law requires a youth sports organization that elects to offer an athletic program to comply with specified concussion and sudden cardiac arrest prevention protocols, including, among other things, offering annual education or related materials to each coach, administrator, and referee, umpire, or other game official of the youth sports organization. Existing law requires that those materials include, among other things, information relating to the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), if it is available, in the event of a cardiac emergency.
Existing law, the California Youth Football Act, requires a youth sports organization that conducts a tackle football program to comply with certain protocols, including a coach annually receiving first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and AED certification, and at least one
independent nonrostered individual being present at all practice locations and holding current and active certification in AED protocols, among other credentials.
This bill, the Nevaeh Youth Sports Safety Act, would, commencing January 1, 2027, require a youth sports organization that elects to offer an athletic program to ensure that its athletes have access to an AED during any official practice or match. For purposes of that provision, if an AED is administered during an applicable medical circumstance, the bill
would require that the AED be administered by a medical professional, coach, or other person designated by the youth sports organization, who holds AED certification and who complies with any other qualifications required pursuant to federal and state law applicable to the use of an AED.