SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- California public schools will be barred from using the Redskins name for sports teams and mascots under legislation Gov. Jerry Brown signed.

The legislation, AB30, will prevent public schools from using a term that American Indians regard as offensive, starting in 2017.

Democratic Assemblyman Luis Alejo of Watsonville says the name dates from a period in California history when bounty hunters were rewarded for slaying Native Americans and should not be dignified with school affiliations.

Only four schools in California still have teams or mascots called the Redskins. A federal panel ruled last year that the team trademark for NFL's Washington Redskins should be canceled, but the team is challenging the decision.

Get Breaking News Delivered to Your Inbox

In a statement, the grassroots campaign Change the Mascot, praised California's move.

"Their historic step to build a better future stands in stark contrast to the dogged inaction of Washington's NFL team, which in the face of all the evidence that this term degrades and offends Native Americans, continues to defend and promote the slur for its own financial gain," the statement said.