The General Assembly Raised Bill No. 1218 aims to enhance water safety and swim instruction for children under seventeen years of age who meet specific eligibility criteria. The bill defines "eligible participants" as individuals who either reside in a qualified census tract, are eligible for the supplemental nutrition assistance program, or qualify for the federal Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is tasked with establishing and administering an annual program to provide free swimming lessons during the summer months for these eligible participants. DEEP may also contract with nonprofit entities to facilitate the swimming lessons and water safety skills instruction.

Additionally, the bill allows DEEP to accept gifts, grants, and donations from public or private sources to support the program. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and introduces new legal language to current law regarding the establishment of this program, while no deletions from existing law are specified in the text. The overall purpose of the bill is to ensure that children from low-income backgrounds have access to swimming lessons, thereby promoting water safety.