New legislation bolsters drowning prevention, water safety education, and swimming skills for families

across New Jersey

(TRENTON) — Assemblywoman Alixon Collazos-Gill has introduced new legislation aimed at educating families on the risks of drowning and promoting water safety awareness for children. These bills were introduced following several drownings in New Jersey this past summer.

“Drowning is something we can prevent with the right education and resources,” said Assemblywoman Collazos-Gill (D-Essex, Passaic). “This bill package is about equipping families with the tools they need to keep children safe around water. We owe it to our children to take every step possible to prevent these heartbreaking incidents.”

Bill A4763 would require the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) Commissioner to develop and distribute an educational fact sheet explaining how parents and guardians can reduce their child’s risk of injury or drowning. The legislation would also task school districts with developing a list of locations where age-appropriate water safety courses and swimming lessons are offered, including courses and lessons that are offered for free or reduced prices.

A second bill, A4762, would designate May of each year as Water Safety Month in New Jersey. It would also encourage the NJDOE, in consultation with the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH), to provide resources to school districts to hold water safety presentations and educational activities for students in kindergarten through fifth grade.

Bill A4753 would require the NJDOH Commissioner to make an informational video on water safety available in all hospitals and birthing facilities. This video would educate viewers on the dangers of drowning, the importance of learning how to swim, and the need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training. Under the bill, hospitals and birthing facilities would be directed to require new parents and any other adult family members present at an infant’s birth to watch the video prior to the baby being discharged.

Bill A4754 would prohibit business entities from selling or manufacturing certain personal flotation devices (PFD) not approved by the United States Coast Guard. The bill defines a PFD as a wearable device, including but not limited to a lifejacket, puddle jumper, water wings, or other flotation device designed for recreational swimming and to be worn or attached to the body of a person who is less than 15 years of age.

Assemblywoman Collazos-Gill previously introduced legislation that would require swimming pools to offer deep water swimming tests to children 12 years and younger upon request. Under bill A3578, until the children have successfully completed a deep water swimming test, they would be required to be accompanied by an adult while swimming in the pool. A child who is a member of the pool’s swim team, if applicable, would be exempt.