Requires water safety instruction in schools; provides that such age appropriate instruction shall include, but not be limited to, the proper use of flotation devices, awareness of water conditions, how to respond if caught in a rip current, the proper supervision of swim areas, safe behaviors in and around the water, the importance of pool barriers and fencing, the importance of formal swim lessons, the importance of avoiding alcohol and substance use with water recreation, the importance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation for drowning victims and the importance of the order of administering such aid.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
7938
IN SENATE
March 4, 2020
___________
Introduced by Sen. ADDABBO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to requiring water safety
instruction in schools
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 805 to
2 read as follows:
3 § 805. Instruction in water safety. 1. All students in grades kinder-
4 garten through twelve in all public schools in the state shall receive
5 instruction in water safety. Such program shall be defined by the
6 commissioner in regulations after consultation with the department of
7 health and be designed to educate students about water safety in grades
8 kindergarten through twelve. Such age appropriate instruction shall
9 include, but not be limited to, the proper use of flotation devices,
10 awareness of water conditions, how to respond if caught in a rip
11 current, the proper supervision of swim areas, safe behaviors in and
12 around the water, the importance of pool barriers and fencing, the
13 importance of formal swim lessons, the importance of avoiding alcohol
14 and substance use with water recreation, the importance of cardiopulmo-
15 nary resuscitation for drowning victims and the importance of the order
16 of administering such aid. Nothing in this section shall prevent the
17 department from making model curriculum and resource materials available
18 on the department's website.
19 2. The commissioner may provide technical assistance to assist in the
20 development of curricula for such instruction which shall be age appro-
21 priate and developed according to the needs and abilities of pupils at
22 successive grade levels in order to provide awareness, skills, informa-
23 tion, self-confidence and support in the understanding of water safety
24 and the practice of water safety behaviors and skills.
25 § 2. This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding
26 the date on which it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the
27 addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary
28 for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized
29 to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD15571-02-0
