Georgia legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Georgia HB1217: Bryce Brooks Act; enact
Status: In committee, February 9, 2026
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 31 and Chapter 7 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to health and the Department of Economic Development, respectively, so as to require the positioning of lifeguards on public beaches during certain periods; to authorize the Department of Economic Development to develop and implement a pilot program to encourage high school students to become lifeguards; to provide for definitions; to provide for reporting; to provide for automatic repeal; to provide for short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
What the bill says
To amend Title 31 and Chapter 7 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to health and the Department of Economic Development, respectively, so as to require the positioning of lifeguards on public beaches during certain periods; to authorize the Department of Economic Development to develop and implement a pilot program to encourage high school students to become lifeguards; to provide for definitions; to provide for reporting; to provide for automatic repeal; to provide for short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws…
From the introduced text:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED To amend Title 31 and Chapter 7 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to health and the Department of Economic Development, respectively, so as to require the positioning of lifeguards on public beaches during certain periods; to authorize the Department of Economic Development to develop and implement a pilot program to encourage high school students to become lifeguards; to provide for definitions; to provide for reporting; to provide for automatic repeal; to provide for short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA: SECTION 1. Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to health, is amended by adding a new chapter to read as follows: "CHAPTER 45B 31-45B-1. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the 'Bryce Brooks Act.' H. B. 1217 LC 65 0043 31-45B-2. As used in this chapter, the term: (1) 'Beach' means any zone of unconsolidated sand, gravel, or other material bordering a body of water. (2) 'Lifeguard' means an individual who has successfully completed a nationally recognized lifeguard training course, holds a current certificate for such training, has met all pre-service requirements, and participates in continuing in-service training as required by such training course. …
Sponsors
- Bryce Berry (D, 56) · primary sponsor
- Cannon, Park (D, 58)
- Edna Jackson (D, 165)
- Anne Westbrook (D, 163)
- Inga Willis (D)
Latest actions
- : House Second Readers
- : House First Readers
- : House Hopper
Common questions
- What is HB1217?
- HB1217 is a bill in the Georgia Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Bryce Brooks Act; enact.
- What does HB1217 do?
- In its own words: To amend Title 31 and Chapter 7 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to health and the Department of Economic Development, respectively, so as to require the positioning of lifeguards on public beaches during certain periods; to authorize the Department of Economic Development to develop and implement a pilot program to encourage high school students to become lifeguards; to provide for definitions; to provide for reporting; to provide for automatic repeal; to provide for short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws…
- What is the status of HB1217?
- In committee as of February 9, 2026. Latest action: House Second Readers (February 9, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1217?
- Bryce Berry (D, 56), with 4 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1217?
- On the Georgia Legislature website: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72907
Source: official Georgia record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.