NOCATEE, Florida — A Florida law that took effect July 1 expands the state's swimming lesson voucher program, making children between the ages of 1 and 7 eligible for free lessons through the Department of Health.
Nocatee, a St. Johns County community of about 40,000 residents, sits in Northeast Florida roughly 20 miles southeast of Jacksonville. The expansion, signed into law in April by Gov. Ron DeSantis, widens eligibility beyond the previous limit of children 4 years old and under. Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for Florida children between ages 1 and 4, according to the state health department.
The legislation also requires hospitals, birth centers, home birth providers and childbirth educators to give new parents educational materials on drowning prevention, including risks during routine activities such as bath time.
State Rep. Anna Eskamani, an Orlando Democrat who championed the measure, said the legislation was inspired by advocates and families affected by drowning tragedies. In the most recent fiscal year, the Department of Health received 16,663 applications for swimming lesson vouchers and awarded about 4,945 of them.
Florida established its swimming voucher program in 2024 through legislation. The health department administers the program, which provides vouchers to eligible families for free swimming lessons at participating facilities.
