SECTION 1. Section 1 of chapter 90B of the General laws, as appearing in the 2008 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the definition of “Boating accident” the following definition:-

“Canoe”, a narrow, light boat, the sides of which meet in a point at each end, which is moved by 1 or more paddles.

SECTION 2.  Said section 1 of said chapter 90B, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by inserting after the definition of “Jet skis” the following definition:-

“Kayak”, a lightweight boat that is covered, except for a single or double opening in the center, which is propelled by a paddle.

SECTION 3.  Said chapter 90B is hereby further amended by inserting after section 5B the following section:-

Section 5C. Every person aboard a canoe or kayak shall, at all times, wear a coast guard-approved personal floatation device of type I, II, III or V which is in good and serviceable condition.

SECTION 4. Said chapter 90B is hereby further amended by inserting after section 13A the following section:-

Section 13B. Whoever holds himself out as a kayak instructor for hire shall obtain and maintain:

(i) first aid training approved by the department of public health;

(ii) cardiopulmonary resuscitation training approved by the department of public health; and

(iii) a kayak instructor certification from the American Canoe Association, small craft safety certification from the American Red Cross and basic water rescue or equivalent water training.

The instructor shall train students on the safety procedures appropriate to the level of paddling difficulty. Wet exit training shall be required of all beginners and novice level operators who use an attached spray skirt during any part of the kayak instructional session.  For the purposes of this section, “wet exit training” shall mean the practice of escaping from a capsized kayak in a controlled water setting.  A liability release that limits an instructor’s responsibility to comply with this section shall be void.