Under current law, children seven-years-old and younger are required to wear a life jacket when they’re on any sort of boat in the state of Missouri.
But, a familiar bill pre-filed by a Kansas City area Senator aims on increasing that age limit to 12.
“Although we can’t comment directly on pending legislation, certainly any conversation that is directed toward public safety on the water is a conversation worth having,” said Captain Matt Walz, Director of the Missouri State Water Patrol.
That’s why Senator Lauren Arthur, a Kansas City Democrat, has pre-filed Senate Bill 119, also known as “Hannah’s Law.”
It’s named after a seven-year-old girl who drowned at Smithville Lake in 2010.
It’s been filed in the General Assembly several times since 2011, but never gained any traction.
“It’s common sense,” Arthur said. “It’s non controversial, but I’ve been surprised that it hasn’t gotten very far in the process.”
So far this year, there have been three drownings at the Lake of the Ozarks. One of them a three-year-old, another a 13-year-old. Neither were wearing life vests.
“Unfortunately, things happen. What we don’t want is for you to have to meet our dive team coming to rescue or recover your child who’s drowned,” said Chief Scott Frandsen of the Mid-County Fire Protection District. “It’s that simple.”
Under “Hannah’s Law,” children 12-years-old and younger would be required to wear a life jacket not only while they are on a boat, but also if they are swimming in water deeper than three feet in any of the state’s waterways.
They’ll also be required to wear a life jacket in public pools when a lifeguard is not on duty. If passed, the law would not apply to private pools.
Even though the State Water Patrol isn’t speaking in support or opposition to the bill, they feel it’s important for everyone to take life jackets seriously.
“We want people to enjoy our waterways. We’re very fortunate in Missouri to have so many great lakes and rivers, but we want people to go out, be safe, and make it home at the end of the day,” Walz said.
The 2019 Legislative Session starts on January 9th.