I-TEAM: Shallow promises | A closer look into Izzy’s law

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - As a parent, g our children up for swimming lessons is a step to keep them safer.

That’s what one family believed too.

But the parents of Israel “Izzy” Scott learned too late that there were no safety standards for private swim instructors in the state of Georgia.

It’s a law that promised to bring a wave of change. But, is the law that made a splash about bringing that change really just a shallow promise?

The I-TEAM found the law doesn’t actually guarantee any ability.

“I still to this day, I still feel like it’s a dream. Like, how did this happen?” said Dori Scott, Izzy’s mother.

In July 2022, the I-TEAM first uncovered Georgia had no rules and no regulations on private swim instructors. Instructors didn’t need certifications or training.

There were no instructor-to-student ratios in the state.

After almost a year of fighting for change – on May 3, 2023, the Scott family stood behind Georgia Governor Brian Kemp on the statehouse steps as he signed Izzy’s Bill into law.

SEE IZZY’S BILL:

Will: “What does it mean to you guys to have Izzy’s name on a law like this in Georgia?”

Dori: “I think it means everything because I feel like the law should have been in place before and I hate that it’s, you know, the death of my son to bring this to the forefront. But it means everything. Like, I feel like he’s, you know, the superhero that he was on earth. So, I feel like he’s still living through the law, through the things that we’re doing in his name.”

Izzy’s Law requires the Department of Public Health to develop a safety plan for aquatic activities based on the standards for nationally accredited swim instructors.

Lisa Dawson with the Georgia Department of Public Health said: “We definitely want to help empower parents and families and caregivers to be prevention-oriented. At the same time, help those kids get that incredible and important, lifesaving skill of learning how to swim.”

The model aquatic safety plan includes minimum procedures, requirements, and standards for private swim lessons. For the first time, the two-page plan recommends limiting the number of students per instructor based on age and swimming skills.

SEE THE MODEL AQUATIC SAFETY PLAN:

For Izzy – it would be one instructor for every four students for beginner-level swimmers under 6 years of age. Izzy was 4 years old, with a total of ten children taking swim lessons that day in a backyard pool when Izzy somehow ended up in the deep end.

The instructor, Lexie TenHuisen, told deputies she didn’t notice Izzy was missing until her granddaughter noticed his limp body at the bottom of the pool.

Under Izzy’s Law, the safety plan calls for secondary supervision, a person dedicated to monitoring the lesson, enforcing rules, and being ready to rescue with access to a rescue tube, first aid kit and resuscitation mask.

Swim instructors can no longer prevent parents from being at the swim lessons and instructors must be R certified.

“I’m hoping that this law helps provide safety measures for kids when they take someone because swimming is very important. That’s the reason why I signed him up,” said Dori.

By April 1 private swim instructors need an aquatic safety plan in place before providing swimming lessons. They can adopt the department’s model aquatic safety plan or develop their own.

Parents or law enforcement should be able to review an instructor’s plan.

But our I-TEAM dove deeper into the law – and started asking questions.

Who’s enforcing and tracking this?

“There’s really no way, unfortunately, for the state to keep track of it,” said Walter Scott, Izzy’s dad.

The Department of Public Health said: “The law does not provide violation penalties or consequences if private swim instructors don’t follow the law. Those violations *could* be addressed at the county or municipal level.”

MORE FROM NEWS 12:

• Izzy’s Law raises safety for swimming students, eases moms’ minds
• ‘He’s still living some way’: How Izzy’s Law will save other kids
• Family sits down with News 12 to demand justice in 4-year
• Izzy Scott’s family strives to keep his legacy alive

But, who would know if swim instructors follow the law at all?

Not the Department of Public Health, which told us, “The new code section does not provide for oversight.”

Rather, the state puts this back on the parents saying, “As with any school, tutor or instructor, parents and caregivers have choices about where they take their children for lessons.”

“How is that even possible? Just like at a salon, at a daycare, you have inspectors that go out and make sure they’re doing it right. I feel like swimming instructors should be ed. If you’re going to teach children how to swim, someone should be able to come and inspect and make sure you’re with a ratio. You have everything on site that you need for it, just in case some happen because accidents do happen,” said Dori.

The I-TEAM found there’s no way for the state to even track private swim instructors.

Will: “Do you have to have any kind of business license to do private swim instruction?”

Walter: “Not at this time, no.”

That’s something the family of Izzy Scott wants to change.

“I hate that something tragic had to happen to him and my family for this to bring light. But I love the fact that it did open up the fact that there was no law in place,” said Dori.

Like the day it was signed into law, the Scott family is hopeful change will be felt. Without oversight, enforcement, or definite penalties for violators, the law designed to bring about change could end up a shallow promise.

The Scott family has vowed to make a change in their community regardless of any laws being ed.

Just recently, the Scott family announced the Izzy Scott Foundation. This non-profit organization is dedicated to advocating for safe swimming practices. It aims to raise awareness about swim safety and prevent future tragedies in the community.

Their partnership will be with the Salvation Army Kroc Center of Augusta.

“Ensuring that people of all ages have the knowledge to enjoy the water safely is paramount to us. We believe everyone should have the opportunity for a safe and enjoyable time in and around the water,” said Dori.

The t initiative aims to raise funds to provide swim lessons for 100 individuals in the Augusta area. By empowering the community with essential swimming skills, the partnership seeks to prevent accidents and promote water safety.

ENSURING SAFE SWIMMING:

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