New York's New "Every Child A Swimmer" Law

As a founding member of the New York Water Safety Coalition, we are thrilled to announce that Governor Kathy Hochul officially signed the "Every Child A Swimmer" bill into law on September 26, 2025. This marks a landmark victory for childhood drowning prevention in the Empire State, where drowning is a leading cause of death for children, and a significant step forward in our mission to ensure every child has the opportunity to learn to swim.

This new legislation, championed by the New York Water Safety Coalition, mirrors the successful model pioneered by the Florida-based Every Child A Swimmer Foundation, which wrote the original bill passed in Florida in 2021. We are proud to see the impact of this vital initiative spreading across the nation. New York now stands alongside Florida, Georgia, Arkansas, Washington, Arizona, and New Mexico in implementing this crucial program.

Starting in the 2026/2027 school year, New York schools will begin providing essential water safety information to parents and guardians. When parents enroll children in school, they will receive information on the critical importance of formal swimming lessons and other key evidence-based drowning prevention strategies. This initiative is designed to empower parents with the knowledge and resources needed to keep their children safe around water, making lifesaving swim instruction more accessible than ever.

As our own Brendan O'Melveny, Founder of the NY Water Safety Coalition, expressed, "This is a monumental victory for every child and family in New York. Drowning is preventable, and education is the first line of defense. We at Imagine Swimming are proud t

o be among the leaders of this vital national movement to protect our children."

We’re grateful to Governor Kathy Hochul, the Every Child a Swimmer Foundation, the New York Water Safety Coalition and all our legislative champions for making this incredible achievement possible. Together, we are building a safer future where every child has the opportunity to learn to swim and thrive.