Members of the State Assembly will today (October 29) examine the impacts of tackle football on youth and debate the possibility of banning it for children aged 12-years-old and under.
Concerns have been raised about the impact of long-term memory and cognitive problems among children who play tackle football before the age of 12.
Today’s hearing looks at the potential benefits and consequences that could result from banning organized youth tackle football for children 12 and under.
Assembly Health Committee Chair Richard Gottfried will take testimony about the potential impacts on programs and children, as well as the current impacts of the sport on children.
Currently, no official proposal exists to ban youth tackle football in New York State.
Last month, Governor Cuomo signed into law new requirements that direct all tackle football programs in the state to provide parents with information about concussions and injuries their children could possibly sustain playing the sport.
That law is set to take effect on December 2.