HF 3066

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 04/07/2025 05:12 p.m.

A bill for an act
relating to public health; establishing an adaptive swimming lessons and water
safety education program for children with developmental delays and their parents;
appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter
145.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [145.9283] ADAPTIVE SWIMMING LESSONS AND WATER SAFETY
EDUCATION PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of health.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Eligible child" means a child who:
new text end

new text begin (1) is at least three years old and under 21 years old;
new text end

new text begin (2) has been diagnosed with a developmental delay; and
new text end

new text begin (3) meets income eligibility requirements by being enrolled in medical assistance or
MinnesotaCare; participating in the federal free and reduced-price meals program or Head
Start; receiving Supplemental Security Income; or being part of a family enrolled in the
special supplemental nutrition assistance program for women, infants, and children, the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Minnesota family investment program, or
energy assistance.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Program established. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner must establish and administer a
program to provide adaptive swimming lessons and water safety education to eligible
children and their parents. The commissioner must administer the program in collaboration
with the city of St. Paul and autism advocacy organizations with experience educating
families on water safety issues for children with autism and must consult with water safety
instructors with experience teaching water safety strategies to families and children around
the United States.
new text end

new text begin (b) Under the program, the commissioner must:
new text end

new text begin (1) distribute program vouchers to families of eligible children for adaptive swimming
lessons and ensure that vouchers are distributed equitably around the state;
new text end

new text begin (2) ensure eligible children in low-income communities have access to adaptive swimming
lessons;
new text end

new text begin (3) ensure parents of eligible children participating in adaptive swimming lessons are
provided with culturally appropriate water safety education;
new text end

new text begin (4) fund stipends for swim instructors, instructor training, and instructor certification on
teaching neurodivergent children;
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new text begin (5) rent facilities for adaptive swim lessons and water safety education; and
new text end

new text begin (6) in cooperation with autism advocacy organizations, provide community outreach,
track participation in the program by eligible children and their parents, and provide continued
support to families of eligible children after eligible children and parents complete the
program.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Program elements. new text end

new text begin (a) The program must offer at least two sessions every six
months and must serve at least 100 children per year.
new text end

new text begin (b) An eligible child who receives a program voucher must receive:
new text end

new text begin (1) 12 weeks of swimming instruction from an instructor who meets the requirements
in subdivision 4; and
new text end

new text begin (2) a swim kit for participation, including necessary safety and swimming equipment.
new text end

new text begin (c) Parents of eligible children participating in the program must receive water safety
education, including remote education facilitated by a water safety instructor with experience
teaching water safety strategies to families and children around the United States. An autism
advocacy organization with experience educating families on water safety issues for children
with autism may provide education and support to these parents to help them stay engaged
in and accountable to the program.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Requirements for instructors. new text end

new text begin All instructors providing adaptive swimming
lessons under this program must:
new text end

new text begin (1) be certified swim instructors, level 1 or higher;
new text end

new text begin (2) hold water safety instructor certification from the American Red Cross;
new text end

new text begin (3) complete water safety education with a water safety instructor with experience
teaching water safety strategies to families and children around the United States to ensure
culturally competent, inclusive, and specialized instruction; and
new text end

new text begin (4) hold certification in teaching neurodivergent children.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Community outreach and education. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must engage in
community outreach on the program, track the program's impact, and make continuing
education on water safety available to parents and children who participated in the program.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS; ADAPTIVE SWIMMING LESSONS AND WATER
SAFETY EDUCATION PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin $500,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $500,000 in fiscal year 2027 are appropriated from the
general fund to the commissioner of health for the adaptive swimming lessons and water
safety education program under Minnesota Statutes, section 145.9283. Of these
appropriations:
new text end

new text begin (1) $....... in fiscal year 2026 and $....... in fiscal year 2027 are for the cost of adaptive
swimming lessons, swim kits, and facility use;
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new text begin (2) $....... in fiscal year 2026 and $....... in fiscal year 2027 are for instructor stipends
and certification and training costs;
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new text begin (3) $....... in fiscal year 2026 and $....... in fiscal year 2027 are for the water safety
education program for parents;
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new text begin (4) $....... in fiscal year 2026 and $....... in fiscal year 2027 are for a grant to Maangaar
Voices to provide community outreach, track participation in the program by eligible children
and their parents, and provide continued support after the children and parents complete
the program; and
new text end

new text begin (5) $....... in fiscal year 2026 and $....... in fiscal year 2027 are for administration.
new text end