Florida once again is seeing a rise in child drowning deaths this year. Now, a trio of Florida bills -- proposed by Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando -- aims to bring that number down.
According to the Florida Department of Children and Families, there have been 112 child drownings this year, well outpacing last year’s number. Those include 11 drownings in Northeast Florida involving children from ages 1 to 7.
The most recent child drowning in the state happened last week at a vacation rental and involved a 2-year-old.
Pat and Katy Murphy, parents of Olympic champion Ryan Murphy, teach children how to swim locally.
“It’s about education. It’s really educating parents and guardians. Drowning isn’t something that’s loud. It’s a silent death. It’s being prepared and making sure you know the signs,” Pat Murphy said.
Now, Florida lawmakers are moving forward with three bills aimed at enhancing swimming pool safety and reducing drowning risks across the state.
The proposed legislation targets residential pools, vacation rentals, and drowning prevention education for new parents.
Residential pools
Senate Bill 610 would require all residential swimming pools on properties sold or transferred after Oct. 1, 2026, to have at least one approved safety feature.
These include secure pool barriers, safety covers, door and window alarms, self-closing and self-latching doors, or certified pool alarms that detect unauthorized water entry.
The bill mandates sellers disclose whether their pool meets these safety requirements before completing a sale.
Pool barriers must be at least 4 feet tall with no gaps or openings that children could exploit.
Failure to comply could result in misdemeanor charges unless corrected quickly and accompanied by attendance at a drowning prevention education program.
Vacation rental pools
Senate Bill 608 focuses on vacation rental properties with pools.
It requires operators applying for or renewing licenses to install at least one pool safety feature, similar to those outlined in SB 610.
The Department of Business and Professional Regulation would have the authority to suspend or revoke licenses and issue fines for noncompliance.
This measure aims to protect renters, especially children, by ensuring vacation rental pools meet safety standards.
Drowning prevention education
Senate Bill 606 addresses drowning prevention education by requiring the Florida Department of Health to develop materials on water safety and safe bathing practices.
These materials would be distributed to new parents and caregivers through hospitals, birth centers, home birth providers, and childbirth educators.
Florida Rep. Anna Eskamani, D- Orlando, one of the lawmakers supporting the bills, said the whole point is prevention.
“We want you to know that drowning is preventable, and it only takes seconds for a child to become a victim of drowning,” Eskamani said. “It’s on all of us working together to prevent these deaths from taking place.”