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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | February 21, 2024 11:58 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative G. Roni Green |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | School Swimming Education |
| Swimming is a critical life skill and a fun, affordable way of exercising independently or with friends and family of all ages. Research has shown swimming is an effective way of reducing stress and improving mental health and has major positive effects on the neurological development of children who begin swimming at a young age. However, because of financial or institutional barriers, many children do not know how to swim. It is estimated that over 60% of children of color and 80% of children from low-income families have little to no swimming ability. This inability to swim can put these individuals in severe danger if they end up in a body of water, whether it is when they are children or when they grow up. Drowning is a leading cause of death among children and is estimated to cause 4,000 deaths in the United States every year. My legislation would require the Department of Education to develop model curriculum for school districts to implement in water and swimming safety courses. Similar to our existing drivers’ education, schools would be incentivized to provide this instruction with a $35 reimbursement for every student who completes this course. By encouraging the instruction of water and swimming safety in our public schools, we will be teaching potentially life-saving skills to large populations of students who do not know how to swim. Studies have found that, if a parent does not know how to swim, there is a very small chance that their child will learn. This is an issue that has extended over generations and, by making these investments, we will help the children of today, as well as their children, learn this essential skill. Please consider co-sponsoring this legislation that will support public safety measures in Pennsylvania by teaching students how to swim and promoting safe and fun exercise. |
Introduced as HB2112