An act to amend Section 35179.6 of the Education Code, relating to school safety. An act to add and repeal Section 33480 of, and to repeal Section 33479.9 of, the Education Code, relating to pupil health.
Summary
AB 2144 would amend Education Code Section 35179.6 to strengthen adult supervision requirements for certain school-sponsored events held in or around swimming pools. Under current law, a school district or charter school that hosts a non-interscholastic on-campus pool event must have at least one adult present who holds valid CPR certification. This bill would increase that minimum to two CPR-certified adults present for the full duration of the event.
The bill also retains the existing framework for school athletic safety equipment and emergency response, including AED requirements for interscholastic athletic programs and related liability protections. Its core policy change is narrow but direct: it raises the supervision standard for pool-related school events to reduce risk and improve emergency readiness in settings where drowning or cardiac emergencies could occur.
Impact
AB 2144 would modify the Education Code’s school safety provisions by changing the adult presence requirement for certain school-sponsored, non-athletic events held in or around swimming pools from one CPR-certified adult to two. This would apply to school districts and charter schools that choose to host such events, and compliance could still be satisfied by adults meeting California Interscholastic Federation coaching education program CPR requirements. The bill does not create a new program or appropriation, but it would impose a higher operational safety standard on affected schools and event organizers.
Sentiment
The available bill information suggests generally favorable treatment, with the measure receiving a majority key vote designation and no recorded committee testimony or floor vote opposition in the provided materials. The bill’s framing as a school safety measure and its limited, targeted scope likely contribute to a positive or at least noncontroversial reception. The re-referral to the Assembly Education Committee indicates the bill was still moving through the legislative process as introduced.
Contention
The main point of policy contention is likely the balance between increased student safety and the added staffing burden on schools. Supporters would view the second CPR-certified adult as a modest but meaningful safeguard for pool events, while opponents or cautious stakeholders may raise concerns about feasibility, staffing costs, and whether the existing one-adult requirement is already sufficient. Because the bill is narrowly focused and does not alter broader AED or liability provisions, any debate appears centered on the practical implementation of the new two-adult requirement rather than on the underlying safety objective.