ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-seventh Legislature

First Regular Session

House: ED DPA 10-0-0-2

HB 2019: schools; water safety; information; resources

Sponsor: Representative Gress, LD 4

Caucus & COW

Overview

Requires a school district or charter school to provide specified information regarding water safety education courses and swimming lessons to parents who enroll a child and to students who are at least 18 years old.

History

According to the Arizona Department of Health Services (DHS), drowning is the leading cause of death among children ages one to four in Arizona. DHS maintains a list of information and resources regarding water safety and swimming lessons (DHS).

The Arizona Child Fatality Review (ACFR) Program provides an annual comprehensive review of every child less than 18 years old who died in Arizona. The November 2024 report contains drowning death prevention recommendations for parents, healthcare facilities, policymakers, participating agencies, schools and community-based organizations, including the recommendation that swim lessons are made available and accessible, especially for children after the age of one (ACFR Program 31st Report).

Provisions

1. Requires a school district or charter school, beginning the 2025-2026 school year, to provide each parent who initially enrolls a child and each student who is at least 18 years old:

a) information on the role of water safety education courses and swimming lessons in saving lives; and

b) a list of local providers of water safety courses or swimming lessons that result in certification. (Sec. 1)

2. Specifies the information and list must be provided in an electronic or printed format. (Sec. 1)

3. Defines water safety course. (Sec. 1)

Amendments

Committee on Education

1. Directs the Arizona Department of Education (ADE), rather than a school district or charter school, to compile the prescribed water safety education course and swimming lesson information and make the information available on its website before the 2025-2026 school year,

2. Instructs each school district and charter school, beginning the 2025-2026 school year, to provide the webpage address for the ADE-compiled information to each parent who initially enrolls a child.

3. Removes the requirement that a school district or charter school provide the water safety education course and swimming lesson information to each student who is at least 18 years old.

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7. HB 2019

8. Initials CH Page 0 Caucus & COW

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