Florida lawmakers are taking action to address the state’s troubling child drowning statistics.
State Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith and Rep. Johanna López (D-Orlando) have introduced bills aimed at tightening safety standards for residential swimming pools.
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The proposed laws, Senate Bill 604 and House Bill 93, would require homes with pools to pass a safety inspection when they’re sold or transferred. This means older homes would need to meet the same safety standards as new ones, with title companies, inspectors, and mortgage underwriters responsible for flagging any issues.
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Smith stressed the importance of these measures.
“We must put an end to the epidemic of preventable child drownings that continue to happen in this state,” Smith said.
The goal is to make sure every home with a pool has at least one life-saving safety feature.
Rep. López pointed out the necessity of these rules.
“Too many families in Florida have suffered the unimaginable loss of a child due to accidental drowning—an entirely preventable tragedy,” López said.
Brent Moore from Children’s Safety Village supports the bills, highlighting Florida’s high child drowning rates.
“We believe these updated standards reduce drownings, and all homes should have these protections,” he said.
One of the bills also proposes offering free swim lessons to kids aged 4 and under from low-income families, adding another layer of prevention.