AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.

Water safety and swimming education in Utah's K-12 public schools would see new requirements and options under this bill. Starting with the 2028-2029 school year, the State Board of Education would be required to develop water safety standards as part of physical education curriculum, covering topics like safe behavior around water, pool fencing, flotation device use, recognizing emergencies, and CPR — though schools would not be required to provide access to actual bodies of water for hands-on practice, and parents could opt their child out, as could students whose individualized education plans (IEPs) conflict with the instruction. Separately, beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, school districts and charter schools could choose to offer swim lessons, lifeguard certification, and swim instructor certification as courses counting toward physical education credit, partnering with recreation centers or other facilities if they lack their own pool; schools would be required to grant credit for such courses completed outside school hours if a parent submits proper documentation from a certified instructor. The State Board of Education would also be granted authority to write rules implementing these programs.