This bill amends Florida Statutes to enhance safety requirements for residential swimming pools during property transfers or sales. Specifically, it mandates that all residential swimming pools sold or transferred on or after October 1, 2026, must be equipped with at least one safety feature, such as a pool barrier, safety cover, exit alarms, or pool alarms. Sellers are required to disclose whether the pool meets these safety requirements prior to the sale. Additionally, the bill establishes that the pool barriers must comply with specific criteria to ensure child safety, and it allows local governments to impose additional reporting requirements.

The bill also includes provisions for penalties for non-compliance, classifying the failure to equip a pool with the required safety features as a misdemeanor, with the possibility of avoiding penalties if the pool is equipped within 45 days of a citation. Furthermore, it mandates the development of a drowning prevention education program, which will be available to the public and required for individuals who violate the pool safety requirements. The program may charge a fee and will be funded through various sources, including state funds and grants. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
S 610 Filed: 515.27, 515.31