Bill Text: CT HB05113 | 2013 | General Assembly | Comm Sub

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: An Act Concerning Pool Safety At Public Schools.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2013-06-24 - Signed by the Governor [HB05113 Detail]

Download: Connecticut-2013-HB05113-Comm_Sub.html

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General Assembly		Committee Bill No. 5113
January Session, 2013		LCO No. 4684
		*04684HB05113PS_*
Referred to Committee on PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY
Introduced by:
(PS)

AN ACT CONCERNING POOL SAFETY AT PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2013) (a) As used in this section, "school swimming pool" means an artificial basin constructed of concrete, steel, fiberglass or other relatively impervious material that is provided with a controlled water supply and is approved by a local or regional board of education for student aquatic activities, including, but not limited to, swimming recreation, instruction, practice and competition.

(b) No person shall act as a swimming coach, instructor or teacher at a school swimming pool unless such person (1) is certified as a lifeguard and water safety instructor by the American Red Cross, the Young Men's Christian Association or another nationally recognized organization that conducts aquatic training programs, (2) is certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, pursuant to section 19a-113a-1 of the regulations of Connecticut state agencies, as amended from time to time, and (3) has completed a course in first aid and on the use of an automatic external defibrillator offered by the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, the Department of Public Health or any director of health, as certified by the agency or director of health offering the course.

(c) Whenever a school swimming pool is used by one or more students for aquatic activities, including, but not limited to, swimming recreation, instruction, lessons, practice or competition, there shall be at least one person present, in addition to any swimming coach, instructor, teacher or other person conducting or supervising such aquatic activities, whose primary responsibility is to monitor such school swimming pool for swimmers who are in distress. Such person shall (1) be certified as a lifeguard by the American Red Cross, the Young Men's Christian Association or another nationally recognized organization that conducts aquatic training programs, (2) be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, pursuant to section 19a-113a-1 of the regulations of Connecticut state agencies, as amended from time to time, and (3) have completed a course in first aid and on the use of an automatic external defibrillator offered by the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, the Department of Public Health or any director of health, as certified by the agency or director of health offering the course.

(d) Each local or regional board of education that allows student aquatic activities at a school swimming pool shall, not later than July 1, 2014, develop a pool safety plan that ensures compliance with this section and includes any other provisions deemed necessary and appropriate for ensuring the safety of students who use such school swimming pool for aquatic activities. Such pool safety plan shall be reviewed and updated as necessary prior to the commencement of each school year.

This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
Section 1	October 1, 2013	New section

Statement of Purpose:

To establish a uniform policy regarding school pool safety so as to reduce the loss of life or injury related to swimming at public schools.

[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.]

Co-Sponsors:

REP. DARGAN, 115th Dist.; REP. ROJAS, 9th Dist. REP. NICASTRO, 79th Dist.

H.B. 5113