AB 1005

By Kitty Nguyen July 9, 2025

California Advances Bill to Expand Drowning Prevention and Free Swim Lessons for Children

Sacramento, CA — California lawmakers are moving forward with a new bill aimed at combating one of the state’s most preventable tragedies: childhood drowning. Assembly Bill 1005 (AB 1005), authored by Assemblymember Laurie Davies (R-Laguna Niguel), seeks to expand water-safety education in public schools and provide free swim lessons to low-income children statewide.

If enacted, the measure would mark a major step toward ensuring that every California child—regardless of income or background—has access to essential water-safety education and life-saving swim instruction.

Educating Families Through Schools

Under AB 1005, certified Drowning and Injury Prevention (DIP) organizations would be authorized to provide public schools with free educational materials on water safety, drowning prevention, and swim instruction. The materials, aligned with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), would be distributed to parents and guardians during student enrollment, at the beginning of each school year, and during spring outreach efforts—no later than the first week of May.

The bill also directs the California Department of Education to publish age-appropriate water-safety curriculum and resources on its website, making them accessible to all public schools across the state. This initiative is part of a broader push to embed water safety and drowning prevention into California’s comprehensive K–12 health education programs.

“Drowning is preventable, and access to swim education should not be a privilege,” said Assemblymember Davies. “AB 1005 brings us closer to ensuring that every child in California—regardless of background—has the opportunity to learn life-saving skills.”

Free Swim Lessons and Statewide Access

A key component of the bill is the creation of the Swim Lesson Voucher and Swim Lesson Directory Partnership, a 10-member task force under the California Department of Public Health. The partnership will design a statewide program offering free or subsidized swim lessons for children under 18 whose families earn up to 250% of the federal poverty level.

To make lessons more accessible, the task force will also develop a public online directory of swim providers, searchable by county. The directory will include information about lesson programs, instructor qualifications, and transportation options—making it easier for parents to find certified, affordable programs in their area.

The program’s implementation depends on available funding, either through the state budget or private partnerships, and could roll out over the next three years if approved.

A Public Health Priority

Drowning is the leading cause of death for California children ages 1 to 4, the second leading cause for those ages 5 to 14, and the third leading cause among youth ages 15 to 24. Research shows that swimming skills and water-safety education can reduce drowning risks by up to 88 percent.

The bill declares swimming instruction an essential public health service, emphasizing collaboration between schools, community organizations, and local parks and recreation programs to make water-safety education more equitable and widespread.

A Step Toward Water Safety Equity

Supporters say AB 1005 could serve as a national model for drowning prevention and swim education. By bridging school-based education with community swim programs, the bill aims to ensure that every child in California grows up water-safe and confident around water.

“This legislation is about saving lives,” said Davies. “By expanding swim access and awareness, we can help make drowning a rare and preventable tragedy.”

Update: As of October 6, 2025, the bill was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom and Chaptered by the Secretary of State - Chapter 387.

Thank you to the California Coalition for Children's Safety and Health, the Drowning Prevention Foundation, and Steve Barrow for their tireless work and leadership in getting this bill signed into law.