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.

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