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Bill

HB 1800

Relating to the licensing and regulation of child swim instruction operators; requiring an occupational license; imposing an administrative penalty; authorizing fees.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Josey Garcia

Texas would require swim instructors working with children to obtain occupational licenses, establish regulatory standards, and collect fees to fund program administration.

Left pending in committee
#criminalrecords(s0008) #licensing&regulation #texascommissionof(v0383) #texasdepartmentof(v8529) #mitchellchangswimsafetyact(pm1ue) #minors--health&safety(i0533) #occupationalregulation--othertrades&professions(i0541) #safety(i0740)
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Bill Summary · HB 1800

Legislative bill overview

HB 1800 would establish a state occupational licensing requirement for child swim instruction operators in Texas. The bill would create regulatory oversight through licensing standards, allow for administrative penalties for violations, and authorize the collection of fees to fund the licensing program.

Why is this important

Swim instruction is a public safety issue, as drowning remains a leading cause of unintentional injury death for children. Licensing requirements could establish baseline qualifications and accountability for instructors, though implementation costs and accessibility of lessons may be affected depending on fee structures and compliance burdens.

Potential points of contention

  • Regulatory burden vs. public safety: Opponents may argue that new licensing requirements increase costs for swim schools and instructors, potentially raising lesson prices and reducing access, while supporters contend that safety standards justify these costs
  • Scope of "child swim instruction": Unclear definitions could determine whether the requirement applies to all child swimming programs (including school PE classes, community centers, private lessons) or narrower categories, affecting implementation breadth
  • Fee structure and program administration: Questions about how high licensing fees should be, who administers the program, and whether revenue sufficiently covers regulatory costs without becoming a profit center for the state

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

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