Bill Text: FL S0084 | 2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Water Safety
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2023-05-05 - Died in Education Pre-K -12 [S0084 Detail]
Download: Florida-2023-S0084-Introduced.html
Florida Senate - 2023 SB 84
By Senator Rodriguez
40-00118-23 202384__
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to water safety; creating s. 258.018,
3 F.S.; requiring a state park to have a certified
4 lifeguard on duty at designated swimming areas within
5 the park during certain timeframes; requiring the
6 Department of Environmental Protection to install a
7 water rescue station at each designated swimming area;
8 defining the term “water rescue station”; amending s.
9 1003.42, F.S.; requiring comprehensive age-appropriate
10 and developmentally appropriate K-12 instruction on
11 water safety; providing requirements for such
12 instruction; providing an effective date.
13
14 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
15
16 Section 1. Section 258.018, Florida Statutes, is created to
17 read:
18 258.018 State park designated swimming areas; lifeguards
19 and rescue equipment required.—
20 (1) A state park must have a lifeguard certified pursuant
21 to s. 514.071 on duty at any designated swimming area within the
22 park during all of the following timeframes:
23 (a) A state holiday, if the area is open to the public
24 during such time.
25 (b) Times of historical peak usage, as determined by the
26 Division of Recreation and Parks.
27 (2) The Department of Environmental Protection shall
28 install a water rescue station at any designated swimming area
29 within a state park. As used in this subsection, the term “water
30 rescue station” means a freestanding or wall-mounted life ring
31 that a bystander may use to help a person who is in distress in
32 the water.
33 Section 2. Paragraph (n) of subsection (2) of section
34 1003.42, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
35 1003.42 Required instruction.—
36 (2) Members of the instructional staff of the public
37 schools, subject to the rules of the State Board of Education
38 and the district school board, shall teach efficiently and
39 faithfully, using the books and materials required that meet the
40 highest standards for professionalism and historical accuracy,
41 following the prescribed courses of study, and employing
42 approved methods of instruction, the following:
43 (n) Comprehensive age-appropriate and developmentally
44 appropriate K-12 instruction on:
45 1. Health education that addresses concepts of community
46 health, consumer health, environmental health, and family life,
47 including:
48 a. Injury prevention and safety.
49 b. Internet safety.
50 c. Nutrition.
51 d. Personal health.
52 e. Prevention and control of disease.
53 f. Substance use and abuse.
54 g. Prevention of child sexual abuse, exploitation, and
55 human trafficking.
56 2. For students in grades 7 through 12, teen dating
57 violence and abuse. This component must include, but not be
58 limited to, the definition of dating violence and abuse, the
59 warning signs of dating violence and abusive behavior, the
60 characteristics of healthy relationships, measures to prevent
61 and stop dating violence and abuse, and community resources
62 available to victims of dating violence and abuse.
63 3. For students in grades 6 through 12, awareness of the
64 benefits of sexual abstinence as the expected standard and the
65 consequences of teenage pregnancy.
66 4. Life skills that build confidence, support mental and
67 emotional health, and enable students to overcome challenges,
68 including:
69 a. Self-awareness and self-management.
70 b. Responsible decisionmaking.
71 c. Resiliency.
72 d. Relationship skills and conflict resolution.
73 e. Understanding and respecting other viewpoints and
74 backgrounds.
75 f. For grades 9 through 12, developing leadership skills,
76 interpersonal skills, organization skills, and research skills;
77 creating a resume, including a digital resume; exploring career
78 pathways; using state career planning resources; developing and
79 practicing the skills necessary for employment interviews;
80 workplace ethics and workplace law; managing stress and
81 expectations; and self-motivation.
82 5. Water safety, including, but not limited to:
83 a. The proper use of flotation devices.
84 b. Awareness of water conditions.
85 c. How to respond if caught in a rip current.
86 d. The proper supervision of swim areas.
87 e. Safe behaviors in and around the water.
88 f. The importance of pool barriers and fencing, formal swim
89 lessons, avoiding alcohol and substance use with water
90 recreation, using a life ring or a long object instead of
91 attempting to personally save a potential drowning victim,
92 cardiopulmonary resuscitation for drowning victims, and the
93 order of administering such aid.
94
95 Health education and life skills instruction and materials may
96 not contradict the principles enumerated in subsection (3).
97
98 The State Board of Education is encouraged to adopt standards
99 and pursue assessment of the requirements of this subsection.
100 Instructional programming that incorporates the values of the
101 recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor and that is
102 offered as part of a social studies, English Language Arts, or
103 other schoolwide character building and veteran awareness
104 initiative meets the requirements of paragraph (t).
105 Section 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2023.
