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Hochul signs bill to allow 15-year-old lifeguards
Nick Reisman reports for New York State of Politics that Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a law on June 30 allowing lifeguards as young as 15 to be employed at summer camps in New York. But the new law won't change the lifeguard shortage this summer, as it won't go into effect for three months, after the summer swimming season. Currently lifeguards must be as young as 16 years old. Supervision is still required for any lifeguards under the age of 17. "These lifeguards would still have to pass all of the same requirements and obtain the same certifications as older lifeguards," state lawmakers wrote in a bill memo. "The American Red Cross allows for certification of 15 year old lifeguards. Additionally, this bill places a limit on how many lifeguards under the age of 17 can be working at one time and requires supervision by a camp aquatics director." Read more about this story in New York State of Politics.