Issue 174 - August 2026
RISK SOLUTIONS
Nevaeh Youth Sports Safety Act: Key Compliance Dates for Public Agencies
Requirements Effective January 1, 2027
Beginning January 1, 2027, youth sports organizations must:
- Ensure coaches are trained in CPR and AED use.
All coaches must be certified to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and operate an automated external defibrillator (AED). Certifications must be maintained and renewed at least every two years.
- Adopt a written cardiac emergency response plan.
Organizations must develop and maintain a written cardiac emergency response plan that addresses:- AED locations
- Procedures to follow during a sudden cardiac arrest or cardiac emergency
- Responsibilities of coaches, administrators, athletes, and other designated individuals
- How participants and staff will be notified of and trained on the emergency response procedures
- Annual review of the plan
- Communicate the plan to families.
The emergency response plan must be shared annually with parents and guardians, either directly or through an internet link, along with information about AED locations and designated responders.
Requirements Effective January 1, 2028
Beginning January 1, 2028, youth sports organizations must:
- Provide access to an AED during all official practices and matches.
Athletes must have access to an AED during any official practice or match. This deadline was moved from January 1, 2027, to January 1, 2028, by Assembly Bill 310.
- Maintain and test AED equipment.
Organizations must ensure AEDs are maintained and tested according to the manufacturer’s specifications and applicable state and federal requirements.
Agencies that operate youth sports programs may wish to begin preparing now by:
- Identifying employees, volunteers, and coaches who will require CPR/AED certification.
- Developing or updating a written cardiac emergency response plan.
- Establishing procedures for annual communication and training.
- Evaluating AED availability at practice and game locations.
- Budgeting for AED acquisition, replacement equipment, maintenance, inspections, and training costs.
- Reviewing agreements with third-party youth sports organizations to clarify responsibility for compliance with the Act. (This is a risk management recommendation, not a statutory requirement.)
While the AED access requirement does not take effect until January 1, 2028, the coach certification and emergency response planning requirements become effective one year earlier on January 1, 2027. Agencies that begin planning now will be better positioned to implement training, develop emergency procedures, communicate with participants and families, and evaluate AED needs before the statutory deadlines arrive.
The California JPIA provides First Aid, CPR, and AED training to member agency employees. Contact the training department for more information or to schedule training.
Sources:
Health & Safety Code – Nevaeh Youth Sports Safety Act.
AB 310, Nevaeh Youth Sports Safety Act
Additional resources (e.g., Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP) template):
Eric Paredes Save-A-Life_Foundation/CERP-for-youth-sports-teams/
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