H*5218(Rat #0191, Act #0180 of 2016)  General Bill, By Gilliard, Anderson, 
Limehouse, Mack, Hosey, Whipper and R.L. Brown
 AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION
 53-3-117 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE MONTH OF MAY EVERY YEAR IS DECLARED "WATER
 SAFETY AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE TO PROMOTE AN UNDERSTANDING OF WATER
 SAFETY PRACTICES AND THE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF WATER SAFETY IN AN EFFORT TO
 REDUCE DROWNING DEATHS AMONG CHILDREN IN THIS STATE. - ratified title

   04/14/16  House  Introduced and read first time (House Journal-page 13)
   04/14/16  House  Referred to Committee on Invitations and Memorial
                     Resolutions (House Journal-page 13)
   04/19/16  House  Member(s) request name added as sponsor: R.L.Brown
   04/20/16  House  Committee report: Favorable Invitations and
                     Memorial Resolutions (House Journal-page 348)
   04/21/16         Scrivener's error corrected
   04/26/16  House  Amended (House Journal-page 18)
   04/26/16  House  Read second time (House Journal-page 18)
   04/26/16  House  Roll call Yeas-95  Nays-0 (House Journal-page 19)
   04/27/16  House  Read third time and sent to Senate
                     (House Journal-page 14)
   04/28/16  Senate Introduced, read first time, placed on calendar
                     without reference (Senate Journal-page 18)
   05/11/16  Senate Read second time (Senate Journal-page 46)
   05/11/16  Senate Roll call Ayes-41  Nays-0 (Senate Journal-page 46)
   05/12/16  Senate Read third time and enrolled (Senate Journal-page 10)
   05/17/16         Ratified R 191
   05/23/16         Signed By Governor
   05/26/16         Effective date 05/23/16
   05/27/16         Act No. 180

(A180, R191, H5218)

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 53-3-117 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE MONTH OF MAY EVERY YEAR IS DECLARED "WATER SAFETY AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE TO PROMOTE AN UNDERSTANDING OF WATER SAFETY PRACTICES AND THE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF WATER SAFETY IN AN EFFORT TO REDUCE DROWNING DEATHS AMONG CHILDREN IN THIS STATE.

Whereas, drowning ranks as one of the leading causes of death in our nation; and

Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from 2005 to 2009, there was an average of three thousand five hundred fifty-three unintentional drownings (nonboating related) in the United States, an average of ten deaths per day; and

Whereas, children aged five to fourteen most often drown in swimming pools and open water such as rivers, lakes, dams, and canals; and

Whereas, a swimming pool is fourteen times more likely than a motor vehicle to be involved in the death of a child aged four and under; and

Whereas, understanding the precious gift South Carolina children are to the future of this State, the General Assembly seeks to bring awareness of the importance of water safety by designating the month of May as "Water Safety Awareness Month" every year. Now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

Water Safety Awareness Month designated

SECTION    1.    Chapter 3, Title 53 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 53-3-117.    The month of May of every year is declared 'Water Safety Awareness Month' in South Carolina to promote an understanding of water safety practices and the critical importance of water safety in an effort to reduce drowning deaths among children in this State."

Time effective

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Ratified the 17th day of May, 2016.

Approved the 23rd day of May, 2016.