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<ns0:Id>20250AB__162698AMD</ns0:Id>
<ns0:VersionNum>98</ns0:VersionNum>
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<ns0:Action>
<ns0:ActionText>INTRODUCED</ns0:ActionText>
<ns0:ActionDate>2026-01-26</ns0:ActionDate>
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<ns0:Action>
<ns0:ActionText>AMENDED_ASSEMBLY</ns0:ActionText>
<ns0:ActionDate>2026-03-16</ns0:ActionDate>
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<ns0:SessionYear>2025</ns0:SessionYear>
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<ns0:AuthorText authorType="LEAD_AUTHOR">Introduced by Assembly Member Gabriel</ns0:AuthorText>
<ns0:AuthorText authorType="PRINCIPAL_COAUTHOR_ORIGINATING">(Principal coauthor: Assembly Member Ransom)</ns0:AuthorText>
<ns0:AuthorText authorType="COAUTHOR_ORIGINATING">(Coauthors: Assembly Members Bennett, Berman, Garcia, Nguyen, Harabedian, Schiavo, and Wicks)</ns0:AuthorText>
<ns0:AuthorText authorType="COAUTHOR_OPPOSITE">(Coauthor: Senator Stern)</ns0:AuthorText>
<ns0:Authors>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>LEAD_AUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Gabriel</ns0:Name>
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<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>PRINCIPAL_COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Ransom</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Bennett</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Berman</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Garcia</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Nguyen</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Harabedian</ns0:Name>
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<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Schiavo</ns0:Name>
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<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Wicks</ns0:Name>
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<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>SENATE</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Stern</ns0:Name>
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<ns0:Title>An act to amend Section 35179.1 of, and to add Sections 35179.85 and 35179.87 to, the Education Code, relating to interscholastic athletics.</ns0:Title>
<ns0:RelatingClause>interscholastic athletics</ns0:RelatingClause>
<ns0:GeneralSubject>
<ns0:Subject>Interscholastic athletics: youth sports: coaches: behavioral and mental health training.</ns0:Subject>
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<ns0:DigestText>
<html:p>Existing law requires the governing board of each school district to have general control of, and be responsible for, all aspects of the interscholastic athletic policies, programs, and activities in its school district, as provided, and requires the governing board of a school district to ensure that all interscholastic policies, programs, and activities in the school district are in compliance with state and federal law. Existing law authorizes the governing board of a school district to enter into associations or consortia with other governing boards for purposes of governing regional or statewide interscholastic athletics, as provided.</html:p>
<html:p>Existing law
describes the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) as a voluntary organization that consists of school and school-related personnel with responsibility for administering interscholastic athletic activities in secondary schools and states the intent of the Legislature that the CIF, in consultation with the State Department of Education, implement specified policies relating to interscholastic athletics.</html:p>
<html:p>Existing law, the 1998 California High School Coaching Education and Training Program, declares the intent of the Legislature to establish a California High School Coaching Education and Training Program, to be administered by school districts with an emphasis on specific components, including, among other components, sports psychology. Existing law requires every high school sports coach to complete, at their own expense, a coaching education program
that meets the guidelines established by the California High School Coaching Education and Training Program.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would add a component on behavioral and mental health and trauma-informed care, as specified, to the list of components to be emphasized by the 1998 California High School Coaching Education and Training Program. The bill would, commencing with the 2027–28 school year, as a condition of employment or volunteer service, require all persons who serve as coaches in interscholastic athletic programs at high schools, including private high schools, that are members of the CIF to complete initial training, and subsequent training every 2 years, that covers specified mental health-related topics.</html:p>
<html:p> The
bill would require the department, on or before September 1, 2027, to develop a model youth athletics behavioral and mental health training, as specified, for persons who serve as coaches in youth sports organizations, both for recreational leagues and competitive or club leagues. The bill would require the department to post the training on its internet website and work with local partners to disseminate the training to appropriate youth athletic leagues, youth coaching entities, and relevant statewide organizations and associations.</html:p>
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<ns0:FiscalCommittee>YES</ns0:FiscalCommittee>
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<ns0:Preamble>The people of the State of California do enact as follows:</ns0:Preamble>
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<ns0:Num>SECTION 1.</ns0:Num>
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Section 35179.1 of the
<ns0:DocName>Education Code</ns0:DocName>
is amended to read:
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<ns0:Num>35179.1.</ns0:Num>
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<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
This section shall be known, and may be cited, as the 1998 California High School Coaching Education and Training Program.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The exploding demand in girls athletics, and an increase in the number of pupils participating in both boys and girls athletics, are causing an increase in the number of coaches needed statewide.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Well-trained coaches are vital to the success of the experience of a pupil in sports and interscholastic athletic activities.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Coaches are often trusted adults who maintain regular contact with youth and are well positioned to observe changes in behavior, mood, or functioning that may indicate a need for behavioral health support.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(4)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Improvement in coaching is a primary need identified by hundreds of principals, superintendents, and school board members who participated in the development of a strategic plan for the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) in 1993 and 1994.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(5)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
There are many concerns about safety, training, organization, philosophy, communications, and general management in coaching that need to be addressed.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(6)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
It is a conservative estimate that at least 25,000 coaches annually need training and an orientation just to meet current coaching regulations contained in Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations, including basic safety and CPR requirements.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(7)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
School districts, in conjunction with the California Interscholastic Federation, have taken the initial first steps toward building a statewide coaching education program by assembling a faculty of statewide trainers composed of school district administrators, coaches, and athletic directors using a national program being used in several states.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
It is, therefore, the intent of the Legislature to establish a California High School Coaching Education and Training Program. It is the intent of the Legislature that the program be administered by school districts, be updated and rehearsed annually, and emphasize the following components:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Development of coaching philosophies consistent with school, school
district, and governing board of a school district goals.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Sport psychology: emphasizing communication, reinforcement of the efforts of pupils, effective delivery of coaching regarding technique, and motivation of the pupil athlete.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Sport pedagogy: how pupil athletes learn, and how to teach sport skills.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(4)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Sport physiology: principles of training, fitness for sport, development of a training program, nutrition for athletes, and the harmful effects associated with the use of steroids and performance-enhancing dietary supplements by adolescents.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(5)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Sport management: team management, risk management, and working within the context of an entire school program.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(6)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Training:
certification in CPR, use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), and first aid that includes, but is not limited to, training in recognizing the signs and symptoms of, and responding to, concussions, heat illness, and, by July 1, 2024, cardiac arrest. Certification in CPR and use of an AED shall be consistent with national evidence-based emergency cardiovascular care guidelines. Concussion, heat illness, and cardiac arrest training may be provided by entities offering free, online, or other types of training courses. For purposes of this section, “heat illness” includes heat cramps, heat syncope, heat exhaustion, and exertional heat stroke.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(7)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Behavioral and mental health and trauma-informed care: suicide risk and prevention, crisis deescalation, recognizing signs of mental distress, including, but not limited to, anxiety, depression, self-harm, and
substance use disorder, and recognizing symptoms of eating disorders.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(8)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Knowledge of, and adherence to, statewide rules and regulations, as well as school regulations, including, but not necessarily limited to, eligibility, gender equity, and discrimination.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(9)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Sound planning and goal setting.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(d)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
This section does not endorse a particular coaching education or training program.
</html:p>
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<ns0:Num>SEC. 2.</ns0:Num>
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Section 35179.85 is added to the
<ns0:DocName>Education Code</ns0:DocName>
,
<ns0:Positioning>immediately following Section 35179.8</ns0:Positioning>
, to read:
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<ns0:LawSection id="id_58EEFB20-8A57-44A2-8DF8-5196084056F7">
<ns0:Num>35179.85.</ns0:Num>
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<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Commencing with the 2027–28 school year, as a condition of employment or volunteer service, all persons who serve as coaches in interscholastic athletic programs at high schools, including private high schools, that are members of the California Interscholastic Federation shall be required to complete initial training, and subsequent training every two years, that covers at least all of the following topics:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Trauma-informed care and recognizing signs and symptoms of common behavioral and mental health conditions in adolescents, including, but not limited to, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance use disorder, and suicidal ideation.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Awareness of
behavioral and mental health challenges specific to pupil athletes, including, but not limited to, performance anxiety, injury-related behavioral and mental health impacts, and the pressures of competition and recruitment.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Strategies for creating a positive team culture that promotes behavioral and mental well-being, reduces stigma around behavioral and mental health, and encourages help-seeking behavior among pupil athletes.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(4)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Appropriate communication techniques for approaching and supporting pupil athletes who may be experiencing behavioral and mental health difficulties.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(5)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Procedures for referring pupil athletes to appropriate mental health resources, including school counselors, psychologists, and community behavioral and mental health services.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(6)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Understanding of the coach’s role and limitations in supporting pupil behavioral and mental health, including, but not limited to, ethical boundaries and the importance of professional behavioral and mental health care.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
This section does not permit coaches to provide mental health counseling or therapy, or to substitute for the services of licensed behavioral and mental health professionals. The purpose of the training required pursuant to this section is to enhance coaches’ awareness and ability to recognize potential mental health concerns and connect pupil athletes with appropriate professional resources.
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<ns0:Num>SEC. 3.</ns0:Num>
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Section 35179.87 is added to the
<ns0:DocName>Education Code</ns0:DocName>
,
<ns0:Positioning>immediately following Section 35179.85</ns0:Positioning>
, to read:
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<ns0:LawSection id="id_E7C2F46C-F290-4E7D-B94E-FD140D0800FF">
<ns0:Num>35179.87.</ns0:Num>
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<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
On or before September 1, 2027, the department shall develop a model youth athletics behavioral and mental health training for persons who serve as coaches in youth sports organizations, both for recreational leagues and competitive or club leagues.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The training shall cover, but not be limited to, all of the following topics:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Strategies for creating a positive team culture that promotes healthy behavioral and mental well-being.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Protective factors that promote youth resilience, well-being, and positive mental health.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(C)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Awareness of behavioral and mental health challenges specific to youth athletes.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(D)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Recognition of signs and symptoms of common behavioral and mental health conditions in youth and adolescents.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(E)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Appropriate communication techniques for approaching and supporting youth athletes who may be experiencing behavioral and mental health difficulties.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(F)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Appropriate referral pathways, including how to connect youth and families to school-based behavioral health services, community-based organizations, crisis support, and emergency resources when necessary.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(G)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Understanding of the coach’s role and limitations in supporting youth athletes’ behavioral and mental health, including ethical boundaries and the importance of professional
behavioral and mental health care.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The training content developed pursuant to subdivision (a) may be aligned with statewide youth mental health and school wellness initiatives.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The department shall post the training developed pursuant to subdivision (a) on its internet website and work with local partners to disseminate the training to appropriate youth athletic leagues, youth coaching entities, and relevant statewide organizations and associations.
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