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:

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

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follows:

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

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

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beaches and water activities in Narragansett Bay and beyond; and

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

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

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

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essential matter that should not be overlooked; and

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

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

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unintentional injury death in the United States; and

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

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

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department care for nonfatal submersion injuries; and

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

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

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

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

 

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hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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

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

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

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instruction and materials relating to water safety.

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

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

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requirement to graduate.

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     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

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

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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