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Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a measure that lawmakers hope will save children from downing.
The new law, which takes effect July 1, will expand children eligible for the state’s Swimming Lesson Voucher Program from 1 to 7 years. Currently, the program is only for those 4 and under.
In addition, the state will launch an educational campaign to teach new parents about water safety.
Without a public press conference, DeSantis signed SB 428 and five other bills, according to a press release late Tuesday evening.
On social media, Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith called it “a huge win for Florida families.”
In 2025, 119 children drowned to death in Florida. It was the No. 1 cause of death for children ages 1 to 4.
To counter that, a bipartisan group of lawmakers worked on SB 428, which merged two proposals from Jacksonville Republican Sen. Clay Yarborough and Smith, an Orlando Democrat. Sponsoring the bills in the lower chamber were Democrat Rep. Anna Eskamani and Republican Rep. Kim Kendall.
The state created the swimming vouchers in 2024 to help low-income families get free swimming lessons.
The Department of Health (DOH) received 16,663 applications for swimming lesson vouchers and gave out 4,945 vouchers in 2024-2025, according to Senate staff analysis of the bill.
When new parents bring home their baby, they are already given information on Sudden Unexpected Infant Death and eye disorders. Going forward, parents will get information on how to keep their kids safe in water, including during bath time.
The new law requires DOH to order hospitals, birthing centers, home birth providers and childbirth educators to give parents evidence-based materials on water safety.
During the 2026 Legislative Session, where both chambers were frequently at odds on major issues and still have not passed the budget, SB 428 was a moment of positivity.
Sen. Gayle Harrell called the water safety bill a “wonderful feat in bipartisanship,” praising Smith, Yarborough, Eskamani and Kendall for working together.
