Lucy’s Law to increase boater safety, crack down on reckless boaters, clears first committee
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boat boating
The proposed law is named after a 17-year-old girl who died in an avoidable boating accident.

The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee has OK’d a measure aimed at improving boater safety and cracking down on reckless boaters, dubbed “Lucy’s Law.”

The bill (HB 289), sponsored by Republican Reps. Vicki Lopez and Vanessa Oliver, passed the committee after passionate testimony from Andy Fernandez, whose 17-year-old daughter, Lucy, died after a 2022 boat crash that also injured other passengers.

The boat’s driver, George Pino, refused a breathalyzer at the time, after he violently struck a channel marker while operating the vessel.

“This bill has two main components. The first is to align the penalties and offenses for leaving the scene of a boating accident, reckless operation of a vessel and vessel homicide with the corresponding driving offenses,” Oliver said of the bill she is co-sponsoring.

“It also prohibits a person from knowingly providing false information to a vessel accident report, and finally it requires those operating a vessel who have not been a Florida resident for at least five years to obtain a boater safety card or equivalent while retaining the requirement that anyone operating a vessel born after Jan. 1, 1988, to have a boater safety card.”

Lopez said the effort “is personal for all of us that live in Miami-Dade County,” where the Fernandez family is from.

“They seemingly have taken a tragedy and have determined that Lucy would not die in vain, that her memory would stand as a way that we would all know that it is absolute mayhem on the water,” Lopez said.

A committee substitute filed Friday for the bill makes some minor changes, including adding leased or rented vessels and escalating penalties for leaving the scene of a boating accident — ranging from a misdemeanor for property damage to a felony for accidents leading to death, including of unborn children.

Per the legislation, if someone leaves the scene of an accident where someone is hurt, but it’s not a serious bodily injury, prosecutors can charge a third-degree felony. In the event of a serious bodily injury, it’s a second-degree felony, up from a third-degree felony. Such Accidents involving death would be punishable as first-degree felonies.

The committee substitute also would criminalize knowingly providing false information on boat reports, as a misdemeanor, and would keep boat safety education requirements.

The bill received praise in committee, with Rep. Taylor Yarkosky saying it “is needed more than ever.”

The measure has two committee stops remaining, Budget and Judiciary. If it becomes law, it would take effect July 1.

Janelle Irwin Taylor

Janelle Irwin Taylor has been a professional journalist covering local news and politics in Tampa Bay since 2003. Most recently, Janelle reported for the Tampa Bay Business Journal. She formerly served as senior reporter for WMNF News. Janelle has a lust for politics and policy. When she’s not bringing you the day’s news, you might find Janelle enjoying nature with her husband, children and two dogs. You can reach Janelle at [email protected].


4 comments

  • Worksprofit1

    March 7, 2025 at 3:23 pm

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    • Linda

      March 7, 2025 at 3:26 pm

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  • Worksprofit1

    March 7, 2025 at 3:25 pm

    N­o E­x­p­e­r­i­e­n­c­e N­e­e­d­e­d, N­o B­o­s­s O­v­e­r i­l Y­o­u­r Ft S­h­o­u­l­d­e­r… S­a­y G­o­o­d­b­y­e T­o Y­o­u­r O­l­d J­o­b! L­i­m­i­t­e­d N­u­m­b­e­r O­f S­p­o­t­s O­p­e­n you just need to go on (__) Tab On My Profile

  • PeterH

    March 10, 2025 at 2:59 pm

    Intrastate 95 between West Palm Beach and Miami has become a treacherous roadway for law abiding drivers. More Florida FREEDUMB!

Comments are closed.


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