New Jersey children under the age of 12 would be banned from playing tackle football if a new proposal in the state Legislature becomes law.

Veteran state Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle has introduced a bill that would prohibit children from participating in organized tackle football amid a growing concern about the sport's safety.

The measure (A3760) would also block school districts from allowing students under 12 from playing tackle football during interscholastic athletics, intramural athletics, physical education programs, or any athletic activity.

It would not keep kids from playing flag or touch football.

But the plan could be thrown for a loss by top lawmakers. State Senate President Stephen Sweeney told NJ Advance Media on Tuesday that he's staunchly against the bill.

"That's not happening," said Sweeney, D-Gloucester, who decides which measures get voted on in the upper house. "They're teaching kids how to tackle properly. All you're gonna do is get kids starting later, when it's easier to teach kids early."

Vainieri Huttle, D-Bergen, said studies show kids who play tackle football at that age have a greater risk of neurological impairment than those who start playing at or after 12.

That, she said, includes chronic traumatic encephalopathy -- or CTE -- a degenerative brain disease that researchers say is developed by repeated hits to the head over a number of years.

The idea isn't unique. There are similar bills in California, Illinois and New York.

Vainieri Huttle said her bill in New Jersey is a "first draft" and the goal at least is to start a dialogue on the issue in the Garden State.

"This is a proactive piece of legislation," she told NJ Advance Media. "I understand the point of view from coaches and parents. I expected a pushback. But I think I'm creating a conversation."

Vainieri Huttle said she plans to sit down with youth sports leagues, who largely don't support the idea.

She said the challenge is walking a "fine line" between a "legislative fix" and allowing parents to make a decision for their children.

In January, the journal Brain published a study showing evidence of CTE in teenage athletes who suffer head trauma.

Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly -- who is also the head football coach at Hackensack High School -- said the bill is "unnecessary" and "too wide open."

Wimberly, D-Passaic, said injuries happen in all sports and that such a bill could lead to a "ripple effect" in which more sports could be banned, such as wrestling and hockey.

"I think as a coach now for 29 years, I probably could count the number of injuries suffered from a concussion," said Wimberly, who also runs Paterson's recreation department. "I have four sons who have played since they were 7 years old. They never had head injuries."

Vainieri Huttle is so far the only sponsor of the New Jersey measure. And a companion bill has not been introduced in the state Senate.

Both the Senate and Assembly -- each of which are controlled by Democrats -- would have to pass the bill and Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, would then need to sign it for it to become law.

State Sen. Richard Codey, a former governor, said he's conflicted about the measure and that he'd like to see more opinions from doctors.

"It has merits," Codey, D-Essex, said. "I don't know. I just don't know. Obviously there's clear danger, but can say that about a lot of sports."

More than 1 million boys play high school football across the U.S. each year, which is more than baseball and basketball combined.

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.