The "Kareem Angel Green Autism Drowning Prevention Act" is designed to improve swimming safety for children, particularly those with autism, by establishing new requirements for organizations supervising children at public bathing places and swimming pools. These organizations must obtain documentation from parents regarding a child's swimming proficiency before allowing water access and are required to provide personal flotation devices for children who cannot swim or are at risk of injury, with certain exceptions. The bill also introduces penalties for non-compliance and mandates public swimming facilities to display warnings about water-related dangers.

In addition to enhancing safety measures, the bill amends existing laws to create a new section focused on open water safety and requires certain counties and municipalities to implement pilot programs for drowning prevention stations in high-risk areas. Local governments are encouraged to partner with businesses for funding, and the Department of Health is authorized to coordinate public awareness campaigns on water safety. The legislation emphasizes drowning prevention education, particularly for parents of children with autism, and mandates public schools to provide information on water safety and swimming certifications. The act will take effect upon becoming law.

Statutes affected:
S 568 Filed: 515.21, 515.23, 515.25, 515.31, 515.33, 515.35, 515.37, 1003.225