Senate Bill No. 263 mandates the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to establish a program by May 1, 2027, that provides free swimming lessons during the summer for children under the age of 17 who meet specific eligibility criteria. To qualify, participants must either reside in a qualified census tract, be eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or be eligible for the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The bill allows DEEP to contract with nonprofit organizations to deliver these lessons and to accept public and private donations to support the program.

The bill is set to take effect on October 1, 2026, and it is expected to incur significant costs for DEEP, estimated at approximately $1 million for every 6,000 lessons provided. This cost is based on previous funding for a similar program. The bill also includes provisions for accepting gifts, grants, and donations to help fund the initiative. The estimated number of eligible participants includes around 202,959 SNAP households and 29,768 WIC children, although actual participation will depend on residency in qualified census tracts.