Georgia General Assembly passes Izzy's Law, heads to governor's desk

A swimming safety law introduced by Augusta-area legislators after a tragedy is headed to the desk of Gov. Brian Kemp after passing the Georgia House on Monday and the Senate passing the House amended version of the bill on Wednesday.

Named after 4-year-old Israel "Izzy" Scott, who drowned during a private swim lesson in Burke County on June 14, 2022, the legislation, SB 107, requires the Department of Public Health to develop a model safety plan for private swim lessons and for instructors to implement a safety plan before offering lessons.

The legislation passed the House by a vote of 169-0 to applause from lawmakers, it had previously passed the Senate on March 1. Scott's family were present and recognized by lawmakers. The final passage in the Senate on Wednesday was without fan fair — bill sponsor Sen. Max Burns, R-Sylvania spoke briefly in favor of it before the amended version passed 51-3.

Prior to the vote, Rep. Lynn Gladney, D-Augusta, spoke to legislators about the day that Scott died.

Izzy's Law:'Izzy's Law' introduced in the Georgia Senate, named for 4-year-old who drowned

Safety Plan:Izzy's law, aimed at mandating safety plans for swim lessons, passes in the Georgia Senate

"On this fateful day, Izzy, who was normally a vibrant, exuberant child who absolutely loves superhero Black Panther and dinosaurs and playing with his older brothers and sisters, he has a moment of pause, and he is slightly hesitant about going to the lesson that day, and says to his mother, 'What if I drown?'" Gladney told the House.

Gladney went on to highlight the number of accidental drownings involving children; more than 4,000 annually across the country.

"It is a good bill. It has provisions that protects other families like the Scotts from this awful fate of ever having this experience again," Gladney said, before asking her colleagues to back the bill.

After the passage of the bill, House Speaker Jon Burns, R-Newington, took a moment to address the family.

"Our hearts go out to you. What a beautiful young man he was," Burns said. "His memory will last in your family and in this state for years and years to come, as Izzy's Law is part of who we are."

The model safety plan developed by the Department of Public Health will include suggested student-to-instructor ratios, secondary supervision of lessons, allowing parents and guardians to be present and participate in private lessons, and that at least one instructor or assistant be CPR certified. By April 1, 2024, all private swim instructors would have to have an aquatic safety plan in place that addresses all of these points before offering lessons or face a misdemeanor charge and up to a $200 fine.

The instructor who was giving the lesson when Scott drowned, Lexie TenHuisen, was charged with involuntary manslaughter.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Izzy's Law on swim instruction safety passes House, heads to Governor