Rockaway Beach, NY – Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Rockaway Beach) announced today that her bill, A.7734/S.7129, has passed both the New York State Assembly and Senate. The bill would create a New York State Commission to prevent childhood drowning. The members of this commission would evaluate and develop programs to educate children on water safety throughout New York State. This bill is sponsored in the Senate by Senator Tim Kennedy.

“This commission will be focusing on getting swimming education to underserved communities, and we will ensure that newly developed programs are inclusive for kids all over New York State,” Pheffer Amato said. “Regardless of your family’s income and whether you have access to an ocean, lake, or pool, every child should know the basics of water safety. I want to thank all our community partners who have been crucial in elevating this issue for years, and do the work to prevent drowning on our peninsula. I urge Governor Cuomo to sign this bill so that we can get to work on water safety.”

"According to the American Red Cross, ten people die each day from unintentional drowning, and on average, two of them are under the age of 14. Statistics show these tragedies disproportionately affect low-income and black and brown communities, and oftentimes are preventable when the right resources and education are made available to families," said Senator Tim Kennedy. "With the creation of this Commission, New York is underscoring a commitment to better protecting our children and to water safety overall."

This bill now awaits the signature of Governor Andrew Cuomo before it becomes law. This bill is one of two water safety bills Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato has introduced – the first, A.728, would require water safety to be taught as a part of school curriculums throughout New York State.