Legislation would give free swim lessons to low-income children

PALM COAST, Fla. – Newly filed legislation would establish a swimming lesson voucher program for families with certain income levels.

Sen. Travis Hutson, R-St. Augustine, and Rep. Demi Busatta Cabrera, R-Coral Gables, filed the identical bills.

“In the past, we’ve focused on how to physically make pools safer, but this is going to save lives by actually teaching high-risk kids how to swim,” Hutson said in a press release.

Under SB 544/HB 581, swimming lesson vouchers are offered to families with one or more children under four years of age that meet a certain income level criteria. Families would be eligible for free swim lessons if their income is 200 percent of the federal property level.

According to the Florida Department of Health, 256 children have drowned between the ages of one to four since 2020. It also is the leading cause of death for the age group.

In collaboration with the Department of Health, the program establishes a network of swimming lesson vendors to grant the vouchers. The Department of Health would be required to try to find at least one vendor for each county, according to the bill.

The bill said it also requires any vendor that uses a public pool owned by the county to participate in the program.

“There is nothing more important to parents than the health and well-being of their children. That’s why we’ve taken a giant step towards providing greater access to swimming lessons for young children in Florida,” Cabrera said.

In the bill, the Florida Department of Health is permitted to seek public or private grants for the program. Vouchers also are subject to specific appropriation to eligible applicants.

“This common sense, but significant bill aims to eliminate youth drowning deaths in Florida and ensure every child is equipped with the ability to swim in our state,” she said.

If passed, the law would take effect July 1, 2024.