1Amending the act of June 28, 1995 (P.L.89, No.18), entitled "An 
2act creating the Department of Conservation and Natural 
3Resources consisting of certain functions of the Department 
4of Environmental Resources and the Department of Community 
5Affairs; renaming the Department of Environmental Resources 
6as the Department of Environmental Protection; defining the 
7role of the Environmental Quality Board in the Department of 
8Environmental Protection; making changes to responsibilities 
9of the State Conservation Commission and the Department of 
10Agriculture; transferring certain powers and duties to the 
11Department of Health; and repealing inconsistent acts," 
12defining "certified lifeguard"; and providing for certified 
13lifeguard requirement in State parks with public beaches.

14The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
15hereby enacts as follows:

16Section 1. Section 103 of the act of June 28, 1995 (P.L.89, 
17No.18), known as the Conservation and Natural Resources Act, is 
18amended by adding a definition to read:

19Section 103. Definitions.

20The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
21have the meanings given to them in this section unless the

1context clearly indicates otherwise:

2"Certified lifeguard." A certified lifeguard is one that
3possesses a valid certificate from a nationally recognized
4organization that certifies lifeguards such as the American Red
5Cross or the American Lifeguard Association.

6* * *

7Section 2. The act is amended by adding a section to read:

8Section 323. Certified lifeguard requirement in State parks
9with public beaches.

10(a) Peak time requirement.--The department shall employ a
11sufficient number of certified lifeguards to provide water
12safety and lifesaving services to patrons in each State park
13that has a public beach during peak times as the public beach is
14open to patrons. The department shall consult with local parks
15to determine such peak times.

16(b) Nonpeak times.--The department shall consult with local
17parks to determine appropriate staffing levels during nonpeak
18times.

19(c) Notification.--Information shall be posted at each
20beach, on all brochures and on the department's and State parks'
21websites to notify the public of the staffing schedule and to
22warn the public that they are swimming at their own risk during
23those periods when no lifeguards are on duty. The notices shall
24include specific dates and times and must be written in both
25English and Spanish.

26(d) Rules and regulations.--The department may promulgate
27rules and regulations to administer and enforce this section.

28Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.