(a) For purposes of this section, 'water safety' means age-appropriate education that is intended to: (1) Promote safety in, on, and around bodies of water; and(2) Reduce the risk of injury or drowning.(b)(1) Beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, each public school district and open-enrollment public charter school shall provide to a parent, legal guardian, or person standing in loco parentis to a public school student information on the important role that water safety education courses and swimming lessons play in saving lives.(2)(A) The information required under subdivision (b)(1) of this section shall: (i) Be provided electronically or in a hard copy format; and(ii) Include local options for water safety education courses and swimming lessons that result in a certificate indicating the successful completion of the water safety education course or swimming lessons, including without limitation water safety education courses and swimming lessons that are offered for free or at a reduced price.(B) If a public school student is eighteen (18) years of age or older, or is under twenty-one (21) years of age and is enrolling in adult education classes, the information required t a reduced price.(B) If a public school student is eighteen (18) years of age or older, or is under twenty-one (21) years of age and is enrolling in adult education classes, the information required under subdivision (b)(1) of this section shall be provided to the public school student.(c) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education shall promulgate rules to implement this section.Added by Act 2023, No. 101,§ 1, eff. 8/1/2023.
Arkansas Legal Code