Barger Asks Board to Supervisors To Support Holden’s Bill To Improve Aquatic and Pool Safety for Students

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will hear a motion authored by Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Hilda Solis to send a five-signature letter in support of Assembly Bill 768 (introduced by Assemblymember Chris Holden) to develop an aquatic and pool safety model policy for school districts, charter schools, and educational centers. 

“Sadly, drowning is the leading cause of injury and death among young children ages one to 14,” Supervisor Kathryn Barger said. “We must take every opportunity to educate teachers, parents, and youth about effective water safety measures so we can stop these tragedies.”

“With the re-opening of Los Angeles County, it is imperative that we have the proper measures in place to ensure a safe return of children to recreational activities like swimming and other aquatic activities,” shared Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair, Hilda L. Solis, Supervisor to the First District. “By supporting AB 768, we can ensure a consistent, statewide effort that would help prevent tragic drownings among children.”

As indicated in the proposed AB 768 legislation, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Academy of Pediatrics have all indicated that a model aquatic and pool safety program can significantly reduce accidental youth drownings.

If passed, AB 768 would direct the development of a model policy led by the California Department of Public Health in collaboration with the state Department of Education and other relevant agencies to be used by educational agencies serving grades K thru 12. The bill would require the model policy to be age appropriate, address the needs of groups at a higher risk of drowning, and include specified training materials.

AB 768 would also require the Department of Education to notify local educational agencies of the availability of the aquatic and pool safety model policy and institute a deadline for local educational agencies to adopt their own aquatic and pool safety program. The program would be available at no cost to local educational agencies and include an audiovisual instructional aid and parent materials.

“I am grateful to Assemblyman Holden for taking action to provide ample support and resources for educators and parents to prevent youth from drowning,” Barger said. “I trust our partners at the state will agree with the need for these critical resources for our families.”

A copy of the motion before the Board of Supervisors can be found here.