This bill amends Minnesota Statutes to require the inclusion of water safety instruction in the health curriculum for school districts. Specifically, it mandates that health curricula must include culturally responsive, age-appropriate water safety education aimed at reducing the risk of drowning. For school districts with access to a swimming pool, the bill stipulates that all third-grade students must receive at least eight weeks of swim instruction, which should be conducted by staff trained to address various barriers that may hinder students from learning to swim. Parents or guardians have the option to opt their child out of this requirement if the child is physically unable to participate or has experienced water-related trauma.

Additionally, the bill modifies the screening program requirements by including a component that assesses a child's enrollment status in a swim instruction program, if available. This change is part of a broader effort to ensure that developmental assessments are comprehensive and consider factors that may influence a child's learning and development. The bill is set to take effect for the 2026-2027 school year and later.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 120B.021, 142D.091