New York J 2209: Recognizing May 2026, as Water Safety Month in the State of New York

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J02209 Summary:

BILL NOJ02209 

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SAME ASNo Same As

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SPONSORPARKER

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COSPNSR

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MLTSPNSR

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Go to top J02209 Actions:

BILL NOJ02209 

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05/22/2026REFERRED TO FINANCE

06/02/2026REPORTED TO CALENDAR FOR CONSIDERATION

06/02/2026ADOPTED

06/04/2026REPORTED TO CALENDAR FOR CONSIDERATION

06/04/2026ADOPTED

Go to topJ02209 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topJ02209 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topJ02209 Text:

Senate Resolution No. 2209

BY: Senator PARKER

 RECOGNIZING May 2026, as Water Safety Month in the
 State of New York

 WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize
matters of vital public health importance and to encourage the citizens
of this great State to take meaningful action to protect the lives and
well-being of their families and communities; and

 WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
recognize May 2026, as Water Safety Month in the State of New York, in
conjunction with the observance of National Water Safety Month; and

 WHEREAS, Water Safety Month is an annual awareness campaign led by
the YMCA with support from the American Red Cross, National Drowning
Prevention Alliance, National Recreation and Park Association, and World
Waterpark Association, and is observed each year during the month of
May; and

 WHEREAS, Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional
injury death for children ages one to fourteen years, and every day
approximately ten people die from unintentional drowning, of whom two
are children aged fourteen or younger; and

 WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention's 2024 Vital Signs report on drowning death rates in the
United States (MMWR, Vol. 73), drowning deaths among Black people
increased by 28 percent between 2019 and 2021, representing an alarming
and unacceptable trend demanding urgent public health attention; and

 WHEREAS, Drowning death rates for Indigenous or Inuit people under
age 30 are two times higher than the rates for White people, with the
highest disparities among Indigenous or Inuit people ages 25 to 29,
whose rates are 3.5 times higher than White individuals of the same age;
and

 WHEREAS, Drowning death rates for Black people under age 30 are 1.5
times higher than the rates for White people, with disparities highest
among Black children ages 5 to 9, whose rates are 2.6 times higher, and
ages 10 to 14, whose rates are 3.6 times higher than their White peers;
and

 WHEREAS, In swimming pools specifically, Black children ages 10 to
14 drown at rates 7.6 times higher than White children, a staggering
disparity rooted in historical inequities in access to swimming
instruction and aquatic facilities; and

 WHEREAS, These racial and ethnic disparities are influenced by
complex historical, structural, environmental, cultural, and social
factors, and can be addressed through state and municipal funding to
build and maintain public pools and through community-based programs
providing free or low-cost swimming lessons, developing culturally
appropriate water safety programs, and hiring diverse aquatic staff; and

 WHEREAS, There are over 7,400 public swimming pools and 1,300 public
bathing beaches operated in New York State, and millions of patrons
visit these bathing facilities each year, making water safety education
a matter of urgent statewide concern; and

 WHEREAS, Approximately 750 children drown each year nationally, and
375 of those drownings occur within 25 yards of a parent or other adult,
underscoring the critical need for vigilance and education among
caregivers; and

 WHEREAS, Drowning can be significantly prevented through proven
interventions including swimming lessons, pool barriers and fencing,
active adult supervision, CPR training, and the use of approved life
jackets; and

 WHEREAS, Organizations such as the YMCA promote a layered approach
to drowning prevention, and programs like the "Y splash" initiative,
campaigns such as phone down eyes up, emphasis for families to be
attentive "water watchers," and Pool Safety educational materials are
available to help New York families stay safe in and around the water;
and

 WHEREAS, Water Safety Month provides an import