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AB-1639 • 2026

California Drowning Prevention and Rescue Act.

California Drowning Prevention and Rescue Act.

Healthcare
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Davies
Last action
Official status
Assembly - Emergency Management
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official text states the bill 'would' do these things and notes it passed the legislature but does not confirm if a Governor has signed it into law yet.

California Drowning Prevention and Rescue Act

This law clarifies that 911 operators must teach both chest compressions and ventilation for drowning victims, requires the state to update public messages about CPR training, and orders a report on California's lifeguard workforce.

What This Bill Does

  • Clarifies that 911 prearrival instructions for drowning victims include teaching both ventilation and chest compressions.
  • Requires the State Department of Public Health to review and update state public communications about why CPR knowledge matters and how people can get trained.
  • Orders the Emergency Medical Services Authority to submit a report on California's lifeguard workforce by June 30, 2028, and every two years after that.
  • Allows the use of funds from the 'Have a Heart, Be a Star, Help Our Kids' license plate program if Assembly Bill 1634 becomes law by January 1, 2027.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Public safety agencies that handle 911 emergency calls
  • The State Department of Public Health
  • The Emergency Medical Services Authority
  • California lifeguards and the general public

Terms To Know

CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)
Emergency care that uses chest compressions to keep blood flowing.
Ventilation
Giving air into a person's lungs during emergency rescue.
Biennially
Happening once every two years.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The use of license plate funds only works if Assembly Bill 1634 becomes law by January 1, 2027.
  • Using the special funds requires the Legislature to approve spending money for this purpose.

Bill History

  1. California Legislative Information

    Assembly - Emergency Management

Official Summary Text

California Drowning Prevention and Rescue Act.