HB1217: HB1217 Bryce Brooks Act; enact

Georgia law currently does not set a statewide requirement for how lifeguards must be positioned on public beaches. This bill, called the Bryce Brooks Act, would add a new chapter to Georgia's health code requiring that a certified lifeguard be stationed every 150 yards on each public beach in the state during identified periods of high occupancy. It also defines what counts as a beach and a lifeguard, including required training and certification. Separately, the bill directs the Department of Economic Development to create and run a pilot program encouraging high school students to become lifeguards, letting the department contract with schools, nonprofits, and private businesses. The department must report on the program's results to state leaders by December 31, 2028, and the pilot program and the article authorizing it would automatically repeal on January 1, 2029.

• Creates a new chapter of Georgia law (O.C.G.A. Title 31) requiring a lifeguard every 150 yards on public beaches during high occupancy periods.
• Defines 'beach' and 'lifeguard' for purposes of this requirement, including training and certification standards for lifeguards.
• Authorizes the Department of Economic Development to design and run a pilot program to recruit high school students into lifeguarding.
• Allows the department to contract with government agencies, University System of Georgia schools, nonprofits, and private businesses to run the pilot program.
• Requires a written report on the pilot program's results and expansion recommendations to state leaders by December 31, 2028.
• Automatically repeals the pilot program and its authorizing law on January 1, 2029.

Public beach operators and local governments responsible for beach safety, lifeguards and lifeguard training organizations, high school students who might participate in the new recruitment program, and the Department of Economic Development, which must build and report on the pilot program.

Beachgoers in Georgia would gain a guaranteed minimum level of lifeguard coverage during busy periods, potentially improving water safety response times. High schoolers would have a new state-backed pathway into lifeguard training, though the recruitment program is temporary and set to end in 2029 unless renewed.

• Section 1 adds Chapter 45B to Title 31, naming the law the 'Bryce Brooks Act' (O.C.G.A. § 31-45B-1).
• O.C.G.A. § 31-45B-2 defines 'beach' as any zone of unconsolidated sand, gravel, or other material bordering a body of water, and defines 'lifeguard' by training and certification requirements.
• O.C.G.A. § 31-45B-3 requires a lifeguard positioned every 150 yards on each public beach during identified high-occupancy periods.
• Section 3 adds Article 12 to Chapter 7 of Title 50, directing the Department of Economic Development to create a pilot program recruiting high school students as lifeguards (O.C.G.A. § 50-7-140).
• The department may contract with government bodies, University System of Georgia institutions, nonprofits, and private businesses to carry out the pilot program.
• A report on the pilot program's development and effectiveness, including statewide expansion recommendations, is due to the Governor, legislative leaders, and relevant committees by December 31, 2028.
• The pilot program and its authorizing article automatically repeal by operation of law on January 1, 2029.

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 health
• high school workforce programs
• water safety