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. 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 provides free swimming lessons to these eligible participants during the summer months, utilizing available appropriations.

Additionally, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is authorized to contract with nonprofit entities to facilitate the swimming lessons and may accept gifts, grants, and donations from public or private sources to support the program. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and introduces new legal language to current law without any deletions.