HB 1217: Bryce Brooks Act; enact

Georgia law does not currently set a statewide standard for how many lifeguards must be on duty at public beaches. This bill creates a new chapter of law, named the Bryce Brooks Act, that requires a lifeguard to be positioned every 150 yards on each public beach in the state during identified periods of high occupancy. It defines 'beach' as any zone of sand, gravel, or similar material bordering a body of water, and defines 'lifeguard' as someone who has completed a nationally recognized training course, holds a current certificate, and keeps up with required continuing training. The bill also directs the Department of Economic Development to create a pilot program encouraging high school students to become lifeguards, allowing the department to contract with schools, colleges, nonprofits, and businesses to run it. The department must report on the program's results by December 31, 2028, and the pilot program automatically ends, along with the law authorizing it, on January 1, 2029.

• Requires a certified lifeguard to be stationed every 150 yards on every public beach in Georgia during times of high occupancy.
• Defines 'beach' and 'lifeguard' for purposes of the new law, including training and certification requirements for lifeguards.
• Creates a pilot program run by the Department of Economic Development to recruit high school students into lifeguard training.
• Allows the department to contract with schools, universities, nonprofits, and private businesses to carry out the pilot program.
• Requires a written report on the pilot program's results and recommendations by December 31, 2028.
• Automatically repeals the pilot program authorization on January 1, 2029.

Public beach operators and local governments responsible for staffing beaches, lifeguards and lifeguard training organizations, high school students who might join the pilot program, and the Department of Economic Development, which must design, run, and report on the program.

Beachgoers in Georgia could see more consistent lifeguard coverage on public beaches during busy times, potentially affecting safety response during swimming emergencies. Local entities that manage beaches would need to meet the 150-yard staffing rule, and the state would fund a temporary program aimed at building a pipeline of trained teenage lifeguards.

• Section 1 adds new Chapter 45B to Title 31, naming the law the 'Bryce Brooks Act' and defining 'beach' and 'lifeguard' (O.C.G.A. § 31-45B-1, § 31-45B-2).
• Section 1 (§ 31-45B-3) requires a lifeguard to be positioned every 150 yards on each public beach during identified periods of high occupancy.
• Section 3 adds Article 12 to Chapter 7 of Title 50, directing the Department of Economic Development to create a pilot program to recruit high school lifeguards (O.C.G.A. § 50-7-140).
• Section 3 lets the department contract with government agencies, the University System of Georgia, colleges, nonprofits, businesses, and individuals to run the pilot program.
• Section 3 requires a report to the Governor and legislative leaders by December 31, 2028, on the program's development, effectiveness, and expansion potential.
• Section 3 sets the pilot program and its authorizing article to automatically repeal on January 1, 2029.
• Section 4 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2026-02-09House Second Readers (House)
2. 2026-02-06House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-02-05House Hopper (House)

• Bryce Berry (D, HD-056)Primary sponsor
• Park Cannon (D, HD-058)
• Edna Jackson (D, HD-165)
• Anne Westbrook (D, HD-163)
• Inga Willis (D, HD-055)

• beach safety
• lifeguards
• public safety
• youth employment
• Department of Economic Development