SENATE LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE RESOLUTION No. 72

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JunE 11, 2026

      The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Resolution No. 72.

      As reported and amended by the committee, this resolution recognizes the work of open-water lifeguards as first responders and emergency service providers due to their training and their duties such as risking their lives to respond and attend to victims.  The resolution notes that other countries recognize lifeguards as emergency responders and grant them access to the programs to which first responders are entitled.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to clarify that copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, are to be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the United States Lifesaving Association, instead of to the NJ Lifeguard and the American Lifeguard Association as introduced.