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AJR 174

Designates May 15 of each year as "Water Safety Day" in New Jersey.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Verlina Reynolds-Jackson and 1 co-sponsor

Designates May 15 as Water Safety Day in New Jersey to promote awareness and urge proclamations and programs for water safety and education.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Environment, Natural Resources, and Solid Waste Committee
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Bill Summary · AJR 174

AJR 174 — Water Safety Day (New Jersey)

Overview

AJR 174 is a joint resolution introduced in the New Jersey Assembly on May 10, 2024. The measure designates May 15 of each year as “Water Safety Day” in New Jersey and requests the Governor to issue a proclamation and urge public officials and citizens to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs. The resolution takes effect immediately.

Purpose and intent

  • Promote public awareness of water safety and accident/injury prevention around bodies of water.
  • Highlight best practices for water competence and safe participation in aquatic activities.
  • Align New Jersey with broader public safety efforts recognizing May 15 as a day dedicated to water safety.

Key provisions

  1. Designation: May 15 of each year is designated as “Water Safety Day” in New Jersey to raise awareness of safe water practices and accident prevention.
  2. Proclamation: The Governor is respectfully requested to issue a proclamation recognizing Water Safety Day and to call upon public officials and citizens to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs.
  3. Effective date: The joint resolution takes effect immediately.

Background and rationale (as presented in the bill)

  • Water safety involves proactive measures to prevent drowning and water-related injuries, including awareness of water conditions, personal limitations, supervision, and use of safety equipment.
  • Drowning is a major public health concern:
    • Second leading cause of death for children ages 5–14; leading cause for ages 1–17.
    • For ages 1–4, drowning is among the top causes of death after birth defects.
    • Worldwide, over 236,000 drownings annually; the U.S. experiences over 4,000 unintentional drownings each year with significant economic costs (estimated at $53 billion in direct and indirect costs).
    • Nonfatal drownings can cause long-term cognitive and motor impairments.
  • Demographic disparities:
    • Drowning victims disproportionately people of color; substantial portions of Hispanic and African-American youth lack swimming ability.
    • A sizable share of children from lower-income households have limited or no swimming ability.
  • Public health context: May 15 is recognized as National and International Water Safety Day; other states have enacted proclamations recognizing water safety, and Washington has enacted “Yori’s Law” designating May 15 as Water Safety Day.

Impact and who is affected

  • Non-binding, symbolic designation intended to raise public awareness and encourage educational programs, safety trainings, and community activities related to water safety.
  • Affects public officials, schools, lifeguards, community organizations, and residents by encouraging observance and programming on Water Safety Day.

Procedural timeline

  • Introduced: May 10, 2024
  • Committee: Referred to the Assembly Environment, Natural Resources, and Solid Waste Committee
  • Status: Introduced in the Assembly; awaiting committee action and further legislative steps

Related actions

  • Companion bill: SJR 116 (Senate counterpart)

Notes: The bill does not authorize new funding or create regulatory requirements; it designates a day and urges observance through proclamations and programs.

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

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