The bill establishes a new section, 383.3363, in the Florida Statutes, which mandates the Department of Health to create educational materials focused on drowning prevention safety measures and safe bathing practices. These materials are intended for distribution to new parents and caregivers as part of postpartum education provided by hospitals, birth centers, home birth providers, and childbirth educators. The educational content must cover the increased risk of drowning for infants and toddlers, water safety measures, and safe bathing practices. Additionally, hospitals, birth centers, and home birth providers are required to maintain proof of compliance with these distribution requirements and make records available to the Agency for Health Care Administration upon request.

The bill also amends existing statutes to incorporate the new educational materials into postpartum care protocols. Specifically, it adds a requirement for birth centers to provide the drowning prevention materials during postpartum evaluations and follow-up care. Furthermore, it modifies the postpartum education requirements for hospitals to include the new drowning prevention materials while removing the previous language regarding the incorporation of safe sleep practices into postpartum instruction. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
H 503 Filed: 395.1053