HF3306 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Water safety instruction required in health curriculum.

Related bill: SF3176

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to amend Minnesota's education standards to include mandatory water safety instruction in the health curriculum, with a specific focus on swimming instruction for third-grade students. This aims to enhance student safety by reducing the risk of drowning and addressing barriers that prevent students from learning to swim.

Main Provisions

  1. Water Safety Instruction Requirement: The bill mandates that Minnesota school districts incorporate culturally responsive, age-appropriate water safety instruction into their health curriculum. This includes strategies that focus on reducing drowning risks among students.

  2. Swimming Instruction for Third Graders: Schools equipped with swimming pools are required to provide at least eight weeks of swim instruction to all third-grade students. This instruction must be conducted by trained staff who are aware of cultural biases and barriers that might deter students from learning to swim.

  3. Addressing Barriers: The bill acknowledges and seeks to mitigate challenges such as the financial cost of swimwear, the expense associated with hair maintenance post-swimming, potential fear of water, and unequal access to swim lessons and safe swimming facilities.

  4. Opt-Out Provision: Parents or guardians may opt their child out of the swimming instruction if the child is physically unable to participate or has experienced trauma related to water that would prevent participation.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • Inclusion of Water Safety and Swimming: Amends the current academic standards by adding water safety and swimming instruction to the health curriculum for third graders, expanding the scope of health education.

  • Focus on Cultural Responsiveness: The bill introduces cultural sensitivity into the swimming curriculum, requiring educators to receive training to address biases and barriers that might prevent students from accessing swimming education.

Relevant Terms

water safety, swimming instruction, health curriculum, drowning prevention, cultural responsiveness, swim instruction barriers, education standards, opt-out provision, third-grade students, swimming pool access.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
May 07, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toEducation Policy
May 08, 2025HouseFloorActionAuthor added

Progress through the legislative process

17%
In Committee