HB1217: HB1217 Bryce Brooks Act; enact

26 LC 65 0043 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 Cod e of Georgia Annotated,1 relating to health and the Department of Economic Development, respectively, so as to2 require the positioning of lifeguards on public beaches during certain periods; to authorize3 the Department of Economic Development to develop and implement a pilot program to4 encourage high school students to become lifeguards; to provide for definitions; to provide5 for reporting; to provide for automatic repeal; to provide for short title; to provide for related6 matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.7 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:8 SECTION 1.9 Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to health, is amended by adding10 a new chapter to read as follows:11 "CHAPTER 45B12 31-45B-1.13 This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the 'Bryce Brooks Act.'14 H. B. 1217 - 1 - 26 LC 65 0043 31-45B-2.15 As used in this chapter, the term:16 (1) 'Beach' means any zone of unconsolidated sand, gravel, or other material bordering17 a body of water.18 (2) 'Lifeguard' means an individual who has successfully compl eted a nationally19 recognized lifeguard training course, holds a current certificate for such training, has met20 all pre-service requirements, and participates in continuing in-service training as required21 by such training course.22 31-45B-3.23 (a) A lifeguard shall be positioned every 150 yards on each pu blic beach in this state at24 identified periods of high occupancy."25 SECTION 3.26 Chapter 7 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Department27 of Economic Development, is amended by adding a new article to read as follows:28 "ARTICLE 1229 50-7-140.30 (a) The Department of Economic Development shall develop and i mplement a pilot31 program to encourage high school students to become lifeguards as such term is defined32 in Code Section 31-45B-2. The department may delegate to its o fficers, agents, and33 employees such duties as it may deem proper to carry out the purposes of this article. The34 department may contract with any department, board, or agency o f the state, local, or35 federal government; the University System of Georgia or any of its component units; other36 public or private colleges and universities; nonprofit organiza tions; foundations;37 H. B. 1217 - 2 - 26 LC 65 0043 corporations; private business firms; and individuals as shall be consistent with the38 purposes of this article.39 (b) No later than December 31, 2028, the department shall submit a detailed written report40 on the development, implementation, and effectiveness of the pi lot program to the41 Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and42 the chairpersons of the House Committee on Health, the Senate H ealth and Human43 Services Committee, the House Committee on Appropriations, and the Senate44 A p p r o p r i a t i o n s C o m m i t t e e . T h e r e p o r t s h a l l a l s o i n c l u d e r e c o mmendations as to45 expansion of the pilot program state wide.46 (c) The pilot program created by this Code section shall terminate on January 1, 2029, and47 this article shall stand repealed by operation of law on such date."48 SECTION 4.49 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.50 H. B. 1217 - 3 -