Report Title:

Learn-to-Swim

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to develop a learn-to-swim program in the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th grade, to drownproof nonswimmers. Requires a swim test of all public school students as part of the program, and allows fees to be collected by the department of education.

 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1261

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR A WATER SAFETY AND LEARN-TO-SWIM INSTRUCTION PROGRAM.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that because Hawaii is an island state, it might be expected that its residents would be highly proficient in swimming and water safety skills. However, the facts indicate that at least thirty-three persons drown every year, and hundreds have to be rescued from our waters. A study conducted by the city and county of Honolulu department of parks and recreation, involving more than six thousand youngsters, ages seven to fourteen, found that among this group, four thousand five hundred or seventy per cent of the test group, were unable to swim fifty yards. In order for the children of Hawaii to safely enjoy and appreciate Hawaii's abundant water environment, it is essential that they know the fundamentals of water safety and swimming and that they be adequately schooled in those fundamentals as well as the basic skills needed in the event of an accident.

The purpose of this Act is to accomplish these objectives by providing funding to make basic swimming, drownproofing, and water safety instruction available to grade students in the second, third, or fourth grade.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $189,270 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002 and the sum of $189,270 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003 for the development of a water safety and learn-to-swim instruction program for public school students in the second, third, or fourth grade; provided that:

(1) The department of education may adopt a reasonable schedule of fees in accordance with chapter 91; and

(2) Students shall be tested for swimming and drownproofing skills as part of this program.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001.

INTRODUCED BY:

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