Florida lawmakers are advancing a trio of Senate bills aimed at curbing the state’s rising tide of child drowning deaths. The proposed legislation targets enhanced safety measures for residential pools and vacation rentals, alongside a new focus on drowning prevention education for new parents. This initiative comes as child drowning incidents this year have already surpassed last year’s total, with recent tragedies highlighting the urgent need for action.
Key Takeaways
- Three Florida Senate bills propose new safety regulations for residential pools and vacation rentals.
- Legislation mandates safety features for pools in homes being sold and in vacation rental properties.
- A new program will distribute drowning prevention education materials to new parents and caregivers.
Residential Pool Safety Enhancements
Senate Bill 610 proposes that all residential swimming pools on properties sold or transferred after October 1, 2026, must be equipped with at least one approved safety feature. These features include secure pool barriers at least four feet tall, safety covers, door and window alarms, self-closing and self-latching doors, or certified pool alarms.
Sellers will be required to disclose whether their pool meets these safety requirements before a sale is finalized. Failure to comply could lead to misdemeanor charges, though these can be resolved through prompt correction and attendance at a drowning prevention education program.
Vacation Rental Pool Regulations
Focusing on vacation rental properties, Senate Bill 608 requires operators seeking or renewing licenses to install at least one pool safety feature similar to those mandated for residential pools. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation will have the authority to issue fines and suspend or revoke licenses for non-compliance, aiming to protect renters, particularly children, from drowning hazards.
Drowning Prevention Education Initiative
Senate Bill 606 aims to bolster drowning prevention education by tasking the Florida Department of Health with developing water safety and safe bathing practice materials. These educational resources will be distributed to new parents and caregivers through hospitals, birth centers, home birth providers, and childbirth educators, emphasizing that drowning is preventable and can occur in mere seconds.
Sources
- 3 Florida Senate bills propose new rules for residential pools, vacation rentals, drowning
education, News4JAX.