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A.  The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and the state Department of Education, in consultation with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, shall establish and provide for the implementation of a watercraft safety course for students in public secondary schools in the state by not later than the second semester of the 1997-1998 school year.  The purpose of the program shall be to promote the protection and safety of children when participating in water sports or recreation.

B.  Any public secondary school may offer the watercraft safety course to any student wishing to participate in the course.

C.  The board shall adopt such rules and regulations as are necessary to provide for the watercraft safety course including a requirement that if the course is offered in any public secondary school, it shall be integrated within the current physical education curriculum as a three-week course.  Such rules and regulations shall also specify that all instruction and related supplies and materials be on an age-appropriate basis.

D.  The consultation as required in Subsection A of this Section shall include assistance and participation by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries in establishing and implementing the watercraft safety course and in the development of course content, supplies, and materials.  The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries shall also assist and participate with the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and the state Department of Education in providing the necessary training to all individuals involved in the instruction of such course.

E.  For purposes of this Section, the term “watercraft” shall be defined as provided in La. Rev. Stat. 34:851.2.

Acts 1997, No. 410, §1, eff. June 22, 1997.