Committee forwards bill requiring K–12 coaches to receive mental-health training

Assemblymember Pacheco presented AB 1665 to the Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports and Tourism, saying the measure would require K–12 school coaches to complete mental-health training approved by the California Department of Education so they can recognize warning signs and connect students to resources.

"As trusted mentors, coaches are often the first to hear about student athlete mental-health challenges," Pacheco said, arguing the training would equip coaches to spot crises and refer students for help.

Danielle Domenichelli, sport development director for the Sacramento Running Association and a former collegiate and professional athlete, testified in support and described how comments by a former coach contributed to disordered eating and long-term mental-health struggles. "Providing coaches with training to recognize warning signs... is essential," Domenichelli said.

Organized supporters included the California Hospital Association, several professional sports organizations and the California State Association of Psychiatrists, which registered letters or speakers in favor. Committee members praised the bill as an important step to advance children's mental health.

Opposition witnesses included Meg Madden of Women Are Real and a representative of CAUSE, who argued CDE and CIF cannot be trusted to develop or approve appropriate training and warned of possible ideological misuse; they urged rejection. Madden told the committee the bill "profoundly erodes girls' safety, dignity, privacy," linking her opposition to gender-identity policy concerns.

After member discussion and motion by Assemblymember Quirk Silva (seconded by Assemblymember Zibur), the committee voted to forward AB 1665, with amendments, to the Assembly Committee on Education. The chair read a final tally of nine ayes and no votes against. The committee held the roll open for absent members during other procedural business and then adjourned.