NJ
New Jersey Assembly Bill A618

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

New Jersey Assembly Bill A618

Introduced
1/11/22  

Caption

Requires school districts to provide instruction on water safety as part of New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

Impact

The requirement to provide water safety instruction aligns with the established New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Comprehensive Health and Physical Education. It highlights the urgent need to educate children about proper flotation device usage, recognizing hazardous water conditions, and responding appropriately to rip currents. The bill reflects a proactive approach toward reducing the incidence of drowning, which is a significant public health issue and ranks as the fifth leading cause of accidental death across the United States.

Summary

Bill A618 proposes a mandate for public school districts in New Jersey to integrate water safety instruction into their health education curriculum for students from kindergarten through 12th grade. This requirement aims to enhance the awareness of young individuals about the potential dangers associated with water bodies, specifically addressing situations that can lead to drowning. Effective from the 2018-2019 school year, the bill underscores the importance of teaching students various life-saving strategies and risk assessment techniques regarding water activities.

Contention

There has been recognized contention over the necessity and implementation of such educational requirements. While advocates of the bill assert that it is a critical component of youth safety education, others might argue about the logistics of integrating this instruction into existing curricula. There are concerns regarding funding, teacher training, and whether schools have the resources to effectively deliver this new content without compromising other educational priorities. These discussions emphasize the ongoing challenge of balancing educational mandates with available resources and priorities in school districts.

Latest A618 Activity

Companion Bills

NJ S2925

Same As Requires school districts to provide instruction on water safety as part of New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

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