S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
10862
I N A S S E M B L Y
April 8, 2026
___________
Introduced by M. of A. JACKSON -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to including a component
on water safety in kindergarten through twelfth grade
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 804-e
to read as follows:
§ 804-E. INSTRUCTION IN WATER SAFETY. THE REGENTS SHALL ENSURE THAT
THE COURSE OF INSTRUCTION IN GRADES KINDERGARTEN THROUGH TWELVE INCLUDES
A COMPONENT ON WATER SAFETY. SUCH COMPONENT SHALL INSTRUCT STUDENTS ON:
1. IDENTIFYING RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH DROWNING OR OTHER INJURIES IN
CONNECTION TO ANY BODY OF WATER; 2. THE BEHAVIORS NECESSARY FOR BOTH
CHILDREN AND ADULTS TO REDUCE SUCH RISKS; AND 3. HOW TO RESPOND IN AN
EMERGENCY IF A DROWNING OR OTHER SUCH INJURIES OCCUR. THE REGENTS SHALL
DETERMINE HOW TO INCORPORATE SUCH COMPONENT IN EXISTING CURRICULA AND
THE COMMISSIONER SHALL PROMULGATE ANY REGULATIONS NEEDED TO CARRY OUT
SUCH DETERMINATION OF THE REGENTS. THE REGENTS MAY CONSIDER COMPONENTS
INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, AN ANNUAL THIRTY-MINUTE INTERACTIVE
ASSEMBLY, A STORYBOARD PRESENTATION, OR IN-CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding
the date on which it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the
addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary
for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized
to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD15251-01-6
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