Drowning prevention: public schools: informational materials: swim lesson vouchers and swim lesson directory.

Assembly Member Davies proposes expanding California's drowning prevention efforts through a comprehensive program combining educational resources and swim lesson access for low-income families. The legislation requires drowning prevention organizations to provide free, CDC-aligned water safety materials to public schools in English, while encouraging translation into other commonly spoken languages based on school demographics.

The bill establishes the Swim Lesson Voucher and Swim Lesson Directory Development Plan Partnership, a 10-member body comprising parks and recreation officials, state agency representatives, and drowning prevention experts. This partnership will create a network of swim lesson providers accepting vouchers for children under 18 from families earning up to 250% of the federal poverty level. The group will also develop a publicly accessible online directory of swim programs searchable by county, including instructor qualifications, age groups served, and enrollment information.

The State Department of Education must compile and maintain water safety curricula and resources on its website, drawing from existing materials identified by the Drowning Prevention Foundation. Implementation of the voucher program and directory depends on funding through the state budget or external sources such as foundations and corporate donors. The legislation responds to data showing drowning as the leading cause of death for California children ages 1-4 and a top cause for youth through age 24.