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Bill

HB 3496

Relating to the authority of the Texas Department of Insurance to publish and maintain a list of certain ready-to-swim programs.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Tom Oliverson

TDI publishes and maintains public list of qualified swimming programs to help families identify safe instruction providers and improve water safety outcomes.

Referred to Insurance
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Bill Summary · HB 3496

Legislative bill overview

HB 3496 authorizes the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) to publish and maintain a public list of swimming programs that meet certain readiness standards. The bill establishes a framework for TDI to track and disseminate information about programs qualified as "ready-to-swim," making this resource accessible to the public.

Why is this important

Swimming safety and water competency are significant public health concerns, particularly for children. By creating a centralized, vetted list of qualified programs, the bill aims to help parents and guardians identify legitimate swimming instruction providers and potentially reduce drowning risks through standardized program information.

Potential points of contention

  • Regulatory scope creep: Whether swimming program oversight is an appropriate function for the insurance department versus education or health agencies
  • Liability and accuracy concerns: Questions about who bears responsibility if a listed program fails to deliver promised safety standards or causes harm
  • Compliance burden: Costs and administrative requirements placed on swimming programs to meet listing criteria and maintain compliance
  • Definition clarity: The bill's language does not explicitly define what constitutes a "ready-to-swim program," potentially creating implementation ambiguity

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

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