Michigan bill would require schools to teach water safety in gym class

A Republican-sponsored bill would require Michigan schools to instruct students on water safety
Proponents say the instruction could save lives
Lawmakers have not yet voted on the bill

Each year in the US, more than 4,000 people die in accidental drownings, dozens of them in Michigan. Now a push is underway to require Michigan schools to teach students about how to stay safe in the water.

A bill in the state House would make water safety a mandatory part of physical education classes at public schools. Legislators discussed the measure, House Bill 4477, Wednesday but did not vote on it.

Students would learn about flotation devices, water conditions and safe behavior in and around water. They would also learn about “avoiding alcohol and substance use with water recreation” and the importance of administering CPR to drowning victims.

The Michigan Department of Education would have to develop or adopt a curriculum, and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services would be required to develop an information handout about water safety.

“Our state’s vast shorelines remain unsafe for our communities and visitors alike due to the lack of lifeguards,” said Joseph Matulis, an elementary physical education teacher at St. Johns Public Schools, who testified in support of the bill Wednesday.

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There were 115 drowning deaths in Michigan in 2024, according to state data. Of those deaths, 19 were from those aged 0-19. Nationally, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional death for children aged 5-14, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

If Michigan passes the legislation it would join states such as Louisiana, which requires public schools to instruct students on water safety, and New York, which mandates that school districts distribute water safety information to students’ parents.

Matulis urged lawmakers to pass the measure, saying that students currently have “extremely limited opportunities to learn how to be safe in, on and around water.”

A survey conducted by a Michigan State University researcher found that only 11% of teachers reported their schools having water safety instruction in classrooms.

Matulis testified before the House Education and Workforce Committee. The committee did not vote on the bill.

“Michigan has a unique geography, a beautiful geography,” said State Rep. Nancy DeBoer, R-Holland, during the committee meeting. “We’ve been blessed with amazing 20% of the fresh water, but it also carries huge responsibility.

“And the children of Michigan should be good ambassadors for their friends that come from other places, as well as the adults. So we really all need to be careful in protecting children and adults with the water.”

Jamie Racklyeft, the founder of Great Lakes Water Safety Consortium and someone who nearly drowned from a rip current, told Bridge “we want everyone to know ‘flip, float and follow’ just like they know ‘stop, drop and roll.’”

Racklyeft’s advice for someone in danger of drowning includes flipping on your back, floating and filling your lungs with air and following the path of least resistance back to shore.

“Injuries are preventable with a little bit of knowledge and a little bit of education,” Racklyeft said.

State Rep. Matt Koleszar, D-Plymouth, told Bridge he wants to hear from local districts on the bill before making a decision on the bill.

“As long as they are comfortable with it, I think it could potentially save lives and I’m always on board with that.”

Neither the state education department nor the health department have taken a position on the bill.

MDE spokesperson Ken Coleman said that the department does not collect data on how many schools offer water safety instruction.

“Swimming and boating are popular activities across Michigan, which is home to thousands of lakes, rivers and pools for families to enjoy,” said health department spokesperson Lynn Sutfin. “Water safety should be a concern no matter where or how families recreate, and we urge Michigan residents to follow water safety best practices when in and on the water.”

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