H.R. 5063: Safe Beaches, Safe Swimmers Act

This legislation, titled the Safe Beaches, Safe Swimmers Act, is designed to address staffing deficiencies at designated swim locations managed by federal agencies, including the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The main points of the bill are as follows:

Adequate Lifeguard Staffing

The Secretary of the Interior is responsible for ensuring that any federal swimming area or beach facing a staffing shortage has adequate lifeguard coverage. Specifically, the Secretary is required to:

• Identify local government agencies with lifeguard programs to form agreements, enabling these agencies to provide lifeguards at designated swim locations.
• Ensure these lifeguards are available during normal seasonal operating hours to maintain visitor safety and provide necessary rescue and first aid services.

Reimbursement to Local Governments

For any agreements made with local government agencies to supply lifeguard services, the Secretary must:

• Reimburse the agency for all reasonable costs incurred while providing these services.
• For existing agreements made before this bill's enactment, amend those agreements to ensure that the local government agency is reimbursed appropriately for costs, irrespective of any prior cost-sharing terms.

Definitions

The bill includes specific definitions to clarify its terms, such as:

• Designated swim location: Refers to swimming areas monitored by federal lifeguards and managed by federal agencies.
• Staffing shortage: Defines a staffing level that negatively impacts the monitoring of designated swim locations, excluding short-term absences like sick leave.
• Secretary: Refers to the Secretary of the Interior, who oversees the implementation of this legislation.

Purpose

The overall aim of the Safe Beaches, Safe Swimmers Act is to ensure that federal beaches are adequately staffed with lifeguards to improve visitor safety and enhance the recreational experience at these locations.

Relevant Companies

None found