The Georgia Senate this week passed Senate Bill 107, also known as the Izzy’s Act. Sponsored by Senator Max Burns (R – Sylvania), Izzy’s bill would require the Department of Health to develop a publicly available and downloadable water activity safety plan based on the standards for nationally accredited swimming instructors. Specifically, the Izzy Act would require that every private swimming instructor have a water safety plan that includes, but is not limited to: a necessary student-to-instructor ratio, a secondary supervisor present to ensure everyone’s safety To ensure swimmers and all parents and legal guardians have the opportunity to be present at private swimming lessons
Izzy’s Law is named for Israel “Izzy” Scott, a 4-year-old who died as a result of a drowning accident during a backyard swim lesson on June 14, 2022 in Burke County, Georgia.
“I’m proud of my Senate peers for passing Izzy’s bill,” said Sen. Burns. “This legislation is incredibly important to me as I have worked closely with Izzy’s family through every step of the legislative process. Izzy’s Law would ensure our children are protected during swim lessons by creating publicly available water activity safety plans. This bill honors the lives of Israel Scott and the entire Scott family, and I am grateful for their standing. We must continue to work to keep all young people across the state safe, and I am pleased to report that Izzy’s bill passed the Senate with bipartisan support.”
SB 107 now goes to the Georgia House of Representatives for further consideration.
First Reader’s Summary – A bill to be titled an Act amending Title 31 of the OCGA relating to Health to make “Izzy’s Law”; provide that the Ministry of Public Health develops and makes available for download on its website a model aquatic safety plan based on national standards for private swimming instructors; to take care of related matters; repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
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Read more on SB 107 Here.
Senator Max Burns is the chair of the Senate Committee on Ethics. He represents the 23rd Senate district, which includes Burke, Emanuel, Glascock, Jefferson, Jenkins, McDuffie, Screven, Taliaferro, and Warren counties, as well as portions of Columbia and Richmond counties. He can be reached by email at max.burns@senate.state.gov
legis.ga.gov
