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Bill > S679


NJ S679

NJ S679
Requires school districts to provide instruction on water safety as part of New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.


summary

Introduced
01/09/2024
In Committee
01/09/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026

Introduced Session

2024-2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill requires each school district to incorporate instruction on water safety into the health education curriculum for students in grades K through 12 as part of the district's implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Comprehensive Health and Physical Education, beginning with the 2023-2024 school year. The instruction must provide information on: the proper use of flotation devices; how to become aware of water conditions; the danger of rip currents and how to respond if caught in one; and the importance of swimming in areas monitored by a lifeguard. Drownings are the fifth leading cause of accidental death in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control. While New Jersey students participate in drills for fire and active shooter crises, they do not receive instruction on what to do if you are drowning or see someone drowning.

AI Summary

This bill mandates that all New Jersey school districts, starting with the 2023-2024 academic year, must integrate water safety education into their health curriculum for students from kindergarten through twelfth grade, as part of the state's established learning standards for comprehensive health and physical education. This instruction will cover crucial topics such as the correct use of flotation devices, recognizing and understanding water conditions, the dangers posed by rip currents and how to react if caught in one, and the significance of swimming in areas supervised by lifeguards, aiming to address a gap in safety education given that drowning is a leading cause of accidental death.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee (on 01/09/2024)

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