Safe Beaches, Safe Swimmers Act

The Safe Beaches, Safe Swimmers Act would compel the Secretary of the Interior to address lifeguard staffing shortages at federally managed swimming areas by arranging with local government agencies to provide lifeguards during normal seasonal hours. The local agencies would be reimbursed for all reasonable costs incurred in carrying out these agreements. For any existing agreements, the Secretary would amend them to ensure reimbursement of all reasonable costs, regardless of the original cost-sharing terms. The bill defines designated swim locations as certain beaches or swimming areas on lands and waters managed by the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, or the Bureau of Reclamation, which are typically monitored by federal lifeguards. In short, the bill aims to ensure continuous lifeguard coverage at federal beaches by authorizing partnerships with local governments and guaranteeing reimbursement to those local entities for their staffing costs, so beaches remain monitored and safe for visitors.