What's happening
This bill requires a review and report on swimming education resources in New York public schools and creates a working group to recommend improvements.
Why it matters
Addresses equity and access. By requiring the working group to include members representing underserved and disproportionately impacted communities, the bill aims to identify and address gaps in swimming education for students who may not currently have access, potentially reducing drowning disparities and supporting health equity.
Lays groundwork for statewide swimming instruction. The mandated reports and recommendations could pave the way for future legislation or funding that would make swimming instruction universally available in New York public schools, promoting student safety and physical literacy.
Encourages collaboration and stakeholder input. The creation of a diverse working group—including educators, administrators, community organizations, and recreation departments—ensures that a broad range of perspectives and local realities shape the recommendations, making it more likely that proposed solutions will be practical and widely supported.
Requires assessment of resources and costs. By specifically calling for analysis of resources, personnel, and financial needs, the bill sets the stage for a realistic understanding of what it would take to implement or expand swimming education, informing policymakers and the public about both challenges and opportunities.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Track Swimming in Schools
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to education
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7661
IN SENATE
February 4, 2020
Introduced by Sen. SANDERS -- 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 reporting on swimming education in a public school; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 817 to read as follows:
§ 817. Swimming education. (a) Within one year of the effective date of this section, the commissioner shall allocate monies from existing budgetary resources to inventory and report to the education committee of the legislature on the extent of all existing resources and best practices available for swimming instruction classes in public schools.
(b) The commissioner shall establish a working group on swimming education which shall be composed of not more than fifteen individuals representing interested stakeholders, including:
(i) the commissioner or his or her designee;
(ii) physical education teachers who teach at any grade level from kindergarten through twelve;
(iii) school administrators who work at an elementary school, middle school or high school;
(iv) members of school board associations;
(v) individuals who represent not-for-profit recreational and fitness organizations across the state;
(vi) individuals who represent public park and recreation departments across the state; and
(vii) any other stakeholder the commissioner deems necessary, including but not limited to, community members who are underserved and disproportionately impacted by the current distribution of swimming resources in their public school districts.
(c) Eighteen months after the effective date of this section, the working group on swimming education shall submit a report to the education committee, the temporary president of the senate and the speaker of
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD15121-01-0
S. 7661 2
the assembly, of such working group's findings and recommendations regarding resources, personnel and any other costs needed to make swimming instruction available in all public schools for children of all ages. Such report shall consider the commissioner's report pursuant to subdivision (a) of this section.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed six months after the working group on swimming education reports its findings and recommendations to the legislature pursuant to subdivision (c) of section 817 of the education law as added by section one of this act; provided that the commissioner of education shall notify the legislative bill drafting commission upon the submission of the report required in subdivision (c) of section 817 of the education law as added by section one of this act in order that the commission may maintain an accurate and timely effective data base of the official text of the laws of the state of New York in furtherance of effectuating the provisions of section 44 of the legislative law and section 70-b of the public officers law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to reporting on swimming education in a public school; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof
Purpose
This bill would establish a working group to prepare a report of what resources are available for swimming instruction and safety in public schools for the purpose to consider: making swim education a requirement in public schools; various to improve swimming safety; and promote health and fitness.
Summary of provisions
Section 1: Swimming education. a) Within one year of the effective date of this section, the commissioner shall allocate monies from existing budgetary resources to inventory and report to the education committee of the legislature on the extent of all existing resources and best practices available for swimming instruction classes in public schools. (b) The commissioner shall establish a working group on swimming educa- tion which shall be composed of not more than fifteen individuals representing interested stakeholders. (c) Eighteen months after the effective date of this section, the working group on swimming education shall submit a report.
Section 2: Effective day. JUSTIFICATION:
Currently, swim education is not a state requirement in New York public schools. In 2019, there were a series of drownings in Far Rockaway Beach, Queens, including a 15 year old who was swimming by Beach 88th Street the evening of Aug. 4. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning is the second-leading cause of unintentional death in children ages 1-14 in the United States.
Only about 24% of American children 6 to 17 years participate in the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity every day. In the 2018 U.S. Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth, the United States received a D- in Overall Physical Activity. The report was prepared by the National Physical Activity Plan Alliance (NPAPA). According to the CDC, swimming is America's fourth most popular sports activity. Swimming is a good way to get regular aerobic physical activ- ity and can decrease the risk of chronic illnesses. The risk of death for swimmers is about half compared to inactive people. This bill would establish a working group to prepare a report of what resources are available for swimming instruction and safety in public schools to promote health and fi.
Legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
None to the State.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed six months after the working group on swimming education reports its findings and recommendations to the legislature pursuant to subdivision (c) of section 817 of the education law as added by section one of this act; provided that the commissioner of education shall noti- fy the legislative bill drafting commission upon the submission of the report required in subdivision (c) of section 817 of the education law as added by section one of this act in order that the commission may maintain an accurate and timely effective data base of the official text of the laws of the state of New York in furtherance of effectuating the provisions of section 44 of the legislative law and section 70-b of the public officers law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.