2014 -- H 7673

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LC003857

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

     Introduced By: Representatives McNamara, Naughton, Ferri, Shekarchi, and Hull

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2014

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Findings of fact. The general assembly hereby funds and declares as

follows:

     (1) One of the greatest natural features and resources of the state of Rhode Island is its

beautiful coastline that provides scenic, panoramic views, and access to numerous pristine

beaches and water activities in Narragansett Bay and beyond; and

     (2) Rhode Island has approximately two hundred eighty-four (284) miles of tidal

shoreline and thirty five (35) islands in its territorial waters; and

     (3) With such prominent access to the water throughout the state, water safety is an

essential matter that should not be overlooked; and

     (4) According to the centers for disease control, approximately ten (10) people die from

unintentional drowning every day, and that drowning ranks fifth (5th) among the leading causes of

unintentional injury death in the United States; and

     (5) About one in five (5) people who die from drowning are children fourteen (14) and

younger, and for every child who dies from drowning, another five (5) receive emergency

department care for nonfatal submersion injuries; and

     (6) The general assembly declares that requiring instruction in water safety in public

schools would be in the best interests of the state as such instruction would help promote

widespread water safety and reduce the occurrence of water-related fatalities and accidents.

     SECTION 2. Chapter 16-21 of the General Laws entitled "Health and Safety of Pupils" is

hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     16-21-35. Water safety instruction. – (a) Water safety training. All schools required to

have a school health program pursuant to § 16-21-7 or a health and physical education program

pursuant to § 16-22-4 shall incorporate within one or both of said programs age-appropriate

instruction and materials relating to water safety.

     (b) Nothing in this section shall prohibit any school department that has a pool or access

to a pool from mandating that students pass a swimming test as a part of their physical education

requirement to graduate.

     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - HEALTH AND SAFETY OF PUPILS

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     This act would direct most Rhode Island schools to incorporate instruction in water safety

as a part of either their health program or physical education program, or both.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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