Christian’s Law

This page is to provide information to families of Littleton, MA and surrounding communities about "Christian's Law", effective May 5, 2017.

Summary of Christian's Law

  • Requires that municipal and recreational programs and camps for minor children have Coast-Guard-approved Type I, II or III personal flotation devices available to non-swimmers and at-risk swimmers who will be present in a swimming or diving area. This excludes swimming pools, wading pools and other artificial bodies of water. Type III is typically used for activities and is The Town of Littleton's requirement.
  • A "swimming test" shall be conducted at the first swimming session at municipal and recreational programs and camps in order to identify and classify nonswimmers and at-risk swimmers. Minors shall then be confined to swimming areas consistent with the limits of their swimming ability.
  • No municipal or recreational program or camp for minor children shall refuse, decline or otherwise prohibit a parent, guardian or person with custody of a minor from providing a Coast-Guard-approved personal flotation device of Type I, II or III to such municipal or recreational. All personal flotation devices must be fit-tested. Please be aware, the above is just a summary and we encourage you to review the law in its entirety.

Littleton PRCE Video for Christian's Law

Massachusetts General Law c. 111, §127A1Ž2, commonly referred to as Christian's Law, was enacted on July 12, 2012 and went into effect on October 16, 2012. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has promulgated regulation 105 CMR 432.000: "Minimum Requirements for Personal Flotation Devices for Minor Children at Municipal and Recreational Programs and Camps", 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. The law requires to have a system in place for having Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices (PFDs) available to non-swimmers and at-risk swimmers at municipal and recreational programs and camps.

All parents must sign and submit our PRCE Swim Test Permission Form prior to their child participating in any swim activities.

All children that are given parent/guardian permission to participate in Swimming, Sailing, Camp Tahattawan, Teen Adventures, or Organizational trips to Long Lake Beach or any marine or freshwater beaches will be required to take a swim test to determine participant's ability.

If a child does not pass a Level 3 Red Cross swim test, parents are required to provide a Type III PFD that must be USCG approved, properly fitted, and in serviceable condition in order for that child to be allowed to swim. The Town of Littleton Aquatics Staff has limited life jacket quantities available and will provide a properly fitted Personal Flotation Device (PFD) to any child, as necessary in emergency cases.

See answers to frequently asked questions about Christian's Law.