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HB 1217

Bryce Brooks Act; enact

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bryce Berry and 4 co-sponsors

Lifeguards must patrol public beaches every 150 yards during peak periods, and Georgia will pilot a program to recruit high school students as lifeguards, ending in 2029.

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Bill Summary · HB 1217

Summary of HB 1217 (2025-26) – Georgia

Purpose and intent

  • Enacted as the “Bryce Brooks Act,” this bill aims to enhance public beach safety by mandating lifeguard presence on public beaches during identified high-occupancy periods and by creating a pilot program to recruit high school students into lifeguarding.

Key provisions and changes

  • New Chapter in Title 31 (Health)

    • Adds Chapter 45B, known as the “Bryce Brooks Act.”
    • Definitions:
    • Beach: Any zone of unconsolidated sand, gravel, or other material adjoining a body of water.
    • Lifeguard: An individual who has completed a nationally recognized lifeguard training course, holds a current certificate, has completed all pre-service requirements, and participates in ongoing in-service training as required.
    • Lifeguard staffing requirement:
    • A lifeguard must be positioned every 150 yards on each public beach in the state during identified periods of high occupancy (i.e., peak times).

  • New Article in Title 50 (Economic Development) – Pilot Program

    • Section 50-7-140 (Pilot Program):
    • The Georgia Department of Economic Development must develop and implement a pilot program to encourage high school students to become lifeguards as defined above.
    • The department may delegate duties to its officers, agents, and employees and may contract with various public, private, or nonprofit entities to carry out the program (state, local, federal agencies; University System of Georgia; other colleges/universities; nonprofits; private firms; individuals).
    • Reporting and evaluation:
    • No later than December 31, 2028, the department must submit a detailed written report on the pilot’s development, implementation, and effectiveness to:
      • Governor
      • President of the Senate
      • Speaker of the House
      • Chairpersons of the House Health Committee, Senate Health and Human Services Committee, House Appropriations Committee, and Senate Appropriations Committee
    • The report must include recommendations on expanding the program statewide.
    • Sunset/automatic repeal:
    • The pilot program terminates on January 1, 2029, and the article repeals by operation of law on that date, unless extended or amended.

Who or what would be affected

  • Public beaches and beachgoers: The state would require lifeguards at identified high-occupancy periods, impacting beach safety operations and potentially staffing requirements for public beaches.
  • Youth and education community: The Department of Economic Development would implement a program targeting high school students to become lifeguards, potentially creating pathway opportunities, partnerships with schools, and internships or training pipelines.
  • State agencies and partners: The department could engage with multiple public and private entities (universities, nonprofits, private firms) to execute the pilot program.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective structure: Creates a new health code chapter and a new economic development pilot program.
  • Pilot duration and sunset: Pilot runs from enactment through December 31, 2028; term ends January 1, 2029, with repeal of the new article unless extended.
  • Reporting deadlines: Detailed evaluation report due by end of 2028 to key state leaders and committees to inform potential statewide expansion.

Practical considerations

  • The bill specifies a 150-yard lifeguard spacing on public beaches during high-occupancy periods, which will require assessment of beach width, crowd patterns, and staffing logistics.
  • Implementation will depend on funding, staffing, and coordination with local beach authorities and lifeguard organizations.
  • The success and expansion of the pilot hinge on the Governor and General Assembly reviewing the 2028 report and approving statewide scaling if warranted.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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