Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to enhance the health curriculum in Minnesota schools by requiring the inclusion of water safety instruction. This is aimed at reducing the risk of drowning among students.

Main Provisions

• Water Safety Instruction: Schools must include culturally responsive, age-appropriate water safety instruction in their health curriculum.
• Swim Instruction Requirement: School districts with access to swimming pools are mandated to provide at least eight weeks of swim instruction specifically for third-grade students.
• Curriculum Development: Swim instruction must be conducted by educators who have undergone professional development aimed at addressing issues such as financial barriers, cultural biases, and other obstacles that hinder students from learning to swim.
• Parental Opt-Out: Parents or guardians can opt their children out of swim instruction if the student is physically unable to participate or if the student has experienced trauma related to water.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The current academic standards are amended to include water safety as part of the health curriculum.
• The requirements for providing swim instruction are specifically targeted at addressing social and economic barriers to ensure equitable access to swim education.

Relevant Terms

water safety, swim instruction, health curriculum, drowning prevention, swimming pool access, culturally responsive, age-appropriate education, financial barriers, trauma, professional development, educational standards.