About the law
"Christian's Law", as it is commonly referred to, is based on:
- Massachusetts General Law (M.G.L.) c. 111, §127A½; and
- The Department of Public Health’s (Department) previously issued guidance on Christian’s Law
The Department has promulgated regulation 105 CMR 432.000: “Minimum Requirements for Personal Flotation Devices for Minor Children at Municipal and Recreational Programs and Camps”, effective May 5, 2017.
The law and regulations only apply to swimming or diving areas at marine or freshwater beaches and explicitly exclude swimming pools, wading pools, and other artificial bodies of water.
In addition, the Department is issuing the guidance documents listed below, including the 2014 Department and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary “Fit Test” training video, to support compliance with the regulation, to provide associated best practices and to help assist municipal and recreational programs and camps implementing provisions of the regulation.
Additional Resources
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Lifeguard-Pro Water Safety Instructor Course equivalency letter, Open PDF file, 322.24 KB (English, PDF 322.24 KB)
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Christian’s Law Guidance Checklist – Regulation 105 CMR 432.000, Open DOCX file, 24.72 KB (English, DOCX 24.72 KB)
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Swim and Fit Test Model Documentation Form, Open XLSX file, 12.46 KB (English, XLSX 12.46 KB)
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American Red Cross Course: Water Safety (r.09) Instructor, Open DOCX file, 13.29 KB (English, DOCX 13.29 KB)
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YMCA Lifeguard Course AQ711B, Open DOCX file, 26.14 KB (English, DOCX 26.14 KB)