Bill Text: NJ SR44 | 2026-2027 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Recognizes open water lifeguards as first responders and emergency services providers.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)
Status: (Introduced) 2026-01-13 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee [SR44 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2026-SR44-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
222nd LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Senator VIN GOPAL
District 11 (Monmouth)
SYNOPSIS
Recognizes open water lifeguards as first responders and emergency services providers.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
A Senate Resolution recognizing the work of open water lifeguards.
Whereas, Open water lifeguards perform an essential function of protecting countless individuals from death or serious injury every year; and
Whereas, These lifeguards do so at great risk to their own lives; and
Whereas, In 2021, two lifeguards in the State of New Jersey lost their lives in performance of their duties; and
Whereas, Many open water lifeguards are cross-trained in emergency medical response, marine fire safety, law enforcement, and water rescue craft operations; and
Whereas, Lifeguards respond and attend to victims, treat victims, assist victims, and transport victims, the four defined duties of an emergency response employee; and
Whereas, Lifeguards not only protect life, but also property, evidence, and the environment, the four tenants which define a first responder; and
Whereas, United States law already recognizes open water lifeguards as first responders or emergency response providers; and
Whereas, Many other countries recognize lifeguards as emergency responders, and grant them access to the programs to which first responders are entitled; and
Whereas, Lifeguards receive comparable training as first responders and perform crucial work to protect the lives of individuals from death or serious injury and it is the appropriate time for the Senate to recognize their dedication and work and formally recognize open water lifeguards as first responders in New Jersey; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Senate of the State of New Jersey recognizes open water lifeguards qualify as first responder and emergency response providers and recognizes the essential lifesaving work performed by these brave individuals.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to NJ Lifeguard and the American Lifeguard Association.
STATEMENT
This resolution recognizes the work of open-water lifeguards as first responders and emergency service providers due to their training and in carrying out their duties, risk their lives to respond and attend to victims. It notes the federal government already recognizes open-water lifeguards as first responders or emergency services responders. It further notes lifeguards in other countries where they are recognized open water lifeguards as emergency responders are eligible for programs which first responders are entitled.
