SR 72 New Jersey Senate · 2026-2027 Regular Session

Recognizes open water lifeguards as first responders and emergency services providers.

This Senate Resolution (SR 72) formally recognizes open water lifeguards in New Jersey as first responders and emergency services providers due to their critical lifesaving work, training, and risk to life while performing duties like responding to emergencies, treating victims, and protecting property. It does not create new laws or benefits but acknowledges their role through a symbolic resolution, citing their cross-training in emergency response and alignment with duties defined for first responders. The resolution, sponsored by Senator Vin Gopal, will be shared with NJ Lifeguard and the American Lifeguard Association. It follows similar recognition in other countries where lifeguards receive first-responder program access.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Senate Passage

Jun 2026

General Assembly Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 5, 2026 Last action Jul 6, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Reprint · 3 edits

MINOR

This is a reprint of a New Jersey Senate Resolution recognizing open-water lifeguards as first responders. The main substantive change replaces the recipients of the resolution copies: NJ Lifeguard and the American Lifeguard Association were removed, and the United States Lifesaving Association was added in their place. A new co-sponsor (Senator Carmen F. Amato, Jr.) was also added.

SCOPE

The organizations that receive copies of the resolution were changed: NJ Lifeguard and the American Lifeguard Association were removed as recipients, and the United States Lifesaving Association was added instead.

TECHNICAL

The STATEMENT section, which provided background context about recognizing open-water lifeguards as first responders and noting that in other countries such recognition grants eligibility for first responder programs, was deleted from the text.

Senator Carmen F. Amato, Jr. (District 9, Ocean) was added as a co-sponsor of the resolution.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jul 6, 2026

Introduced

Filed with Secretary of State

lower

Jun 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

Resolution Passed Senate (Voice)

upper

Feb 5, 2026

Introduced

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors