A proposed Florida bill would provide vouchers for free swimming lessons for children in low-income families.
The proposed bill, SB 544, was filed on Nov. 20 and aims to increase water safety in Florida.
The Swimming Lesson Voucher Program was introduced by Republican Sen. Travis Hutson of District 7 and if approved would take effect on July 1, 2024.
The program would offer vouchers for swimming lessons at no cost to families with an income of no more than 200 percent of the federal poverty level who have one or more children ages 4 or younger.
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The Department of Health would need to contract vendors that will accept the vouchers in exchange of swimming lessons.
According to the proposed bill, any vendor that offers swimming lessons at a public pool owned or maintained by a county must participate in the program if requested.
According to the CDC, more children ages 1 to 4 die from drowning than any other cause.
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There have been 84 child drownings so far this year in Florida, according to the Child Fatality Prevention website.
