Community youth athletics programs: sex or gender discrimination.

Assembly Member Irwin's legislation expands California's prohibition on sex and gender discrimination in youth athletics programs, extending current protections to encompass school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools alongside existing requirements for cities, counties, and special districts. The measure establishes uniform standards across all community youth athletics and interscholastic programs, including equal access to facilities, equipment, coaching, and other resources.

The bill outlines specific factors courts must consider when evaluating discrimination claims, including the selection of athletic programs, allocation of equipment and supplies, scheduling of games and practices, coaching opportunities, facility access, and publicity. Local agencies must demonstrate they have accommodated athletic interests and abilities of all genders either through proportional program opportunities or by fully meeting demonstrated interest from underrepresented groups.

To support implementation, the legislation defines key terms like "community youth athletics program" and details what constitutes parks, recreation, and school facilities and resources under the law. The measure preserves existing consent decrees and settlement agreements while creating an independent right to pursue civil actions for injunctive relief or damages. For costs incurred by local agencies to meet these new requirements, the bill provides reimbursement through the Commission on State Mandates process.