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SB 295

Education: curriculum; instruction in water safety; require. Amends 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1 - 380.1852) by adding sec. 1170c.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Stephanie Chang and 9 co-sponsors

Michigan bill mandates water safety instruction in K-12 schools to reduce drowning risks through universal curriculum requirements.

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
#education:curriculum #education:schooldistricts
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Bill Summary · SB 295

Legislative bill overview

SB 295 amends Michigan's Public School Code to require water safety instruction as part of the school curriculum. The bill adds a new section (1170c) establishing mandatory water safety education standards for K-12 students. This represents a statewide mandate to integrate water safety competencies into existing educational programming.

Why is this important

Water-related incidents are a leading cause of unintentional injury and death among children and adolescents nationally. Mandating water safety instruction in schools could significantly reduce drowning rates and teach critical survival skills to all students regardless of socioeconomic background or family access to swimming lessons. Michigan's extensive coastline and numerous inland lakes make water safety particularly relevant to the state's population.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs and teacher training: Schools will need funding for qualified instructors, pool access or partnership agreements, and staff professional development, potentially straining already tight education budgets
  • Curriculum crowding: Adding mandatory water safety instruction requires time and resources that must come from somewhere in the existing curriculum, raising questions about what subjects might receive less emphasis
  • Access equity: Rural schools and schools without aquatic facilities may struggle to meet requirements equally, potentially creating disparities in program quality across districts

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

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