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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
schools; water safety; information; resources
Purpose
Requires, before the 2025-2026 school year, the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) to compile and post on ADE's website information regarding water safety courses and swimming lessons and local providers of such courses and lessons. Directs each school district and charter school to provide the webpage address to each parent upon initial enrollment of a child.
Background
The Department of Health Services (DHS) provides information and resources on the DHS website regarding water safety, swimming lessons and the most effective ways to keep children safe near water (DHS).
The Arizona Child Fatality Review Team (CFRT), established within DHS, provides an annual comprehensive review of each child younger than 18 years old who died in Arizona. The 2024 CFRT Report includes information and statistics on child drowning deaths in Arizona, drowning risk factors and recommendations for parents, caregivers and healthcare facilities to prevent drowning. The 2024 CFRT Report also includes recommendations for policy makers, participating agencies and schools to prevent drowning, including recommendations to: 1) ensure availability and accessibility of affordable swim lessons that are developmentally, culturally and linguistically appropriate; and 2) increase drowning education and family outreach in multiple languages to promote water safety (2024 CFRT Report).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires ADE, before the 2025-2026 school year, to compile and post on ADE's website:
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, including providers that offer water safety courses or swimming lessons for free or at a reduced price.
2. Requires each school district and charter school, beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, to provide each parent who initially enrolls a child in the school district or charter school the webpage address for the water safety information compiled by ADE.
3. Defines water safety course as age-appropriate education that is intended to promote safety in, on and around bodies of water and to reduce the risk of injury or drowning.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
ED 1/21/25 DPA 10-0-0-2
3rd Read 2/6/25 52-7-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 24, 2025
MH/KK/ci