Representative Kevin Chambliss (D-Homestead) filed House Bill 1541 Child Water Safety Requirements. This companion measure is a bipartisan effort to help prevent the needless drowning of children due to unforeseen negligence. In collaboration with the Senate sponsor, Senator Ana Maria Rodriguez (R-Miami) who filed SB 74, both lawmakers are working to help prevent and save the lives of our young children. HB 1541/SB 74 establishes the “Kareem Angel Green Act.”
The intent is to provide that certain organizations that care for or supervise children must require parents or legal guardians to attest certain information in writing before taking children under their care or supervision to public bathing places or public swimming pools; provides requirements for such organizations when they conduct certain activities in public bathing places or public swimming pools; provides exception; provides for disciplinary action against such organizations for certain violations.
“Submerged in water and memories, I continue in my attempt to reach the surface for Kareem. Drowning is preventable – not one more,” said Arkeisha Reese-Jackson, the mother of Kareem Angel Green who drowned in a pool.
“As a father of young children who have yet to learn how to swim, I proudly sponsor this bill with the hopes that my children will grow and enjoy the wonders of playing and swimming in the water safely. I commend Mrs. Reese-Jackson for her courage and commitment to ensuring that the loss of her child would not be in vain, but that it would be used as way to save lives,” said Representative Chambliss.
“I am proud to sponsor SB 74 Child Water Safety Requirements. This bill will help save countless lives of our most vulnerable,” added Senator Rodriguez.
