Water safety instruction requirement in health curriculum

SF 3176 requires Minnesota public school districts to include water safety instruction in the health curriculum to reduce drowning risk. For grade 3 students, schools with access to a swimming pool must provide at least eight weeks of swim instruction led by staff trained to address barriers like financial costs for swimwear, fear of water, or past trauma. Parents may opt their child out if the student has a physical inability or has experienced water-related trauma. The requirement takes effect for the 2026-2027 school year.