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 or guardians regarding a child's swimming proficiency before allowing water access and are required to provide personal flotation devices to children who cannot swim or are at risk of injury, with exceptions for swimming instruction or competitions. The bill also introduces penalties for violations and mandates that public bathing places 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, requiring certain counties and municipalities to implement pilot programs for drowning prevention stations in high-risk areas. It encourages local governments to collaborate with businesses for funding and authorizes the Department of Health to coordinate public awareness campaigns on water safety. The legislation also defines "drowning prevention station" and mandates that counties and municipalities with significant populations install these stations by October 1, 2025. Furthermore, it requires parents of children with autism to provide annual water safety information to their child's public school starting in the 2025-2026 school year.

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