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CA AB1626
Bill
Status
Introduced
1/26/2026
Primary Sponsor
Jesse Gabriel
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AI Summary
- Requires all high school coaches at California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) member schools, including private schools, to complete behavioral and mental health training before the 2027-28 school year and every two years thereafter as a condition of employment or volunteer service
- Adds behavioral and mental health training components to the 1998 California High School Coaching Education and Training Program, covering suicide prevention, crisis de-escalation, recognizing anxiety, depression, self-harm, substance use disorder, and eating disorders
- Mandates training cover trauma-informed care, performance anxiety, injury-related mental health impacts, creating positive team culture, and appropriate referral procedures to school counselors and community mental health services
- Requires the State Department of Education to develop a model youth athletics behavioral and mental health training for recreational and competitive youth sports coaches by September 1, 2027, and post it on its website
- Clarifies that coaches are not permitted to provide mental health counseling or therapy, and training is intended only to enhance awareness and ability to connect student athletes with professional resources
Legislative Description
Interscholastic athletics: youth sports: coaches: behavioral and mental health training.
Last Action
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on A.,E.,S., & T. Read second time and amended.
3/16/2026
Committee Referrals
Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism3/16/2026
Full Bill Text
No bill text available