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Bill

Bill

S 8287

Requires rip current, rip tide and undertow curriculum or instruction

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Addabbo

Requires adding rip currents, rip tides, and undertow safety into school curricula, boosting student awareness and reducing coast-related injuries.

REFERRED TO EDUCATION
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Bill Summary · S 8287

Summary of Bill S 8287 – Requires rip current, rip tide and undertow curriculum or instruction

Status: Referred to Education
Introduced: May 30, 2025
Primary Sponsor: Senator Joseph P. Addabbo Jr.
Companion Bill: Assembly A 7979 (listed as a companion)

Overview

Bill S 8287 would require instruction related to water safety hazards—specifically rip currents (rip currents), rip tides, and undertow—to be incorporated into the educational curriculum or instruction offered in schools. The proposal is currently in the early committee stage, having been referred to the Education committee.

Purpose and Intent

  • Improve awareness and understanding of dangerous coastal water hazards among students.
  • Provide structured education on recognizing, avoiding, and responding to rip currents, rip tides, and undertow to enhance safety and reduce related injuries or fatalities.

Key Provisions (as available)

  • Mandate: The bill would require curriculum or instructional content addressing rip currents, rip tides, and undertow to be included in the educational program.
  • Scope Details: Information on grade levels, duration, instructional standards, delivery methods, and funding are not specified in the material provided.
  • Implementation: No enacted regulatory text or timetable is shown; specifics would likely be determined during the committee process or subsequent amendments.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Students: Depending on how the curriculum is implemented, students across applicable grade levels would receive education on water safety hazards.
  • Educators and School Districts: Teachers would deliver the instruction; districts may need to integrate or align existing curricula with the new content.
  • Public Health/School Safety Initiatives: Potential alignment with broader safety and health education efforts.

Legislative Status and Timeline

  • Status: Referred to the Education committee, indicating the bill is moving through the standard legislative process.
  • Timeline: No set effective date is provided in the summary; typical progression would require committee action, potential floor votes, and gubernatorial approval to become law.

Related Legislation

  • Companion: Assembly Bill A 7979 (listed as a companion bill), which means the Assembly has a parallel measure addressing the same concept.

Notes

  • Details such as exact grade placement, instructional duration, required competencies, assessment standards, funding, and implementation deadlines are not specified in the provided information. These elements are likely to be clarified if the bill advances and amendments are adopted during the committee process.

This summary presents the essential information available to date to help readers understand the bill’s purpose, scope, and potential impact.

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

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