The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 1218, aims to enhance water safety and swim instruction for children under the age of seventeen who meet specific eligibility criteria. An "eligible participant" is defined as an individual who either resides in a qualified census tract, is eligible for the supplemental nutrition assistance program, or qualifies for the federal Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children. The bill mandates the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to establish and administer a program that offers free swimming lessons to these eligible participants during the summer months, with the option to contract nonprofit entities to facilitate the instruction.

Additionally, the bill allows the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to accept gifts, grants, and donations from both public and private sources to support the program's establishment and administration. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and introduces new legal language to current law without any deletions.