Georgia CommonsHB 1217: Bryce Brooks Act; enact
Introduced version, the latest LegiScan holds · Last action February 9, 2026 · Introduced
The text as LegiScan holds it, read from the PDF the legislature publishes with its margin line numbers, running heads, and page footers removed. Line breaks are joined into paragraphs here; no word is changed.
Underlined words are what the bill adds to current law and struck-through words are what it removes, as the printed bill shows them.
House Bill 1217
By: Representatives Berry of the 56th, Cannon of the 58th, Jackson of the 165th, Westbrook of the 163rd, and Willis of the 55th
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Title 31 and Chapter 7 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to health and the Department of Economic Development, respectively, so as to require the positioning of lifeguards on public beaches during certain periods; to authorize the Department of Economic Development to develop and implement a pilot program to encourage high school students to become lifeguards; to provide for definitions; to provide for reporting; to provide for automatic repeal; to provide for short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to health, is amended by adding a new chapter to read as follows:
"CHAPTER 45B
31-45B-1.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the 'Bryce Brooks Act.'
31-45B-2.
As used in this chapter, the term:
(1) 'Beach' means any zone of unconsolidated sand, gravel, or other material bordering a body of water.
(2) 'Lifeguard' means an individual who has successfully completed a nationally recognized lifeguard training course, holds a current certificate for such training, has met all pre-service requirements, and participates in continuing in-service training as required by such training course.
31-45B-3.
(a) A lifeguard shall be positioned every 150 yards on each public beach in this state at identified periods of high occupancy."
SECTION 3.
Chapter 7 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Department of Economic Development, is amended by adding a new article to read as follows: "ARTICLE 12
50-7-140.
(a) The Department of Economic Development shall develop and implement a pilot program to encourage high school students to become lifeguards as such term is defined in Code Section 31-45B-2. The department may delegate to its officers, agents, and employees such duties as it may deem proper to carry out the purposes of this article. The department may contract with any department, board, or agency of the state, local, or federal government; the University System of Georgia or any of its component units; other public or private colleges and universities; nonprofit organizations; foundations; corporations; private business firms; and individuals as shall be consistent with the purposes of this article.
(b) No later than December 31, 2028, the department shall submit a detailed written report on the development, implementation, and effectiveness of the pilot program to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the chairpersons of the House Committee on Health, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, the House Committee on Appropriations, and the Senate Appropriations Committee. The report shall also include recommendations as to expansion of the pilot program state wide.
(c) The pilot program created by this Code section shall terminate on January 1, 2029, and this article shall stand repealed by operation of law on such date."
SECTION 4.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.