The "Kareem Angel Green Autism Drowning Prevention Act" aims to improve swimming safety for children by imposing specific requirements on organizations supervising children at public bathing places and swimming pools. The bill prohibits these organizations from allowing children access to water without documentation from parents or guardians regarding the child's swimming abilities. It mandates the provision of properly fitted personal flotation devices for children who cannot swim or are at risk of injury, and allows facilities to deny access to children without the necessary documentation. Additionally, the bill requires the display of water safety information and revises existing laws by renaming Chapter 515 to the "Swimming Pool and Public Water Safety Act," while creating a new part focused on open water safety.

House Bill 413 further enhances water safety in Florida through the establishment of the "Open Water Safety Act," which mandates the installation of drowning prevention stations in high-risk public water areas. Counties with populations over 250,000 and municipalities with populations over 100,000 are required to create pilot programs for these stations by October 1, 2025. The bill also introduces a local business sponsorship program to support the funding and maintenance of these stations, alongside a public awareness campaign on water safety. Furthermore, it amends existing law to require parents of children diagnosed with autism to provide water safety and swimming certification information to their child's public school starting in the 2025-2026 school year.

Statutes affected:
H 413 Filed: 515.21, 515.23, 515.25, 515.31, 515.33, 515.35, 515.37, 1003.225