ORLANDO, Fla. — A new bill proposed in the state legislature could change how parents in Florida learn about water safety before they ever leave the hospital.
What You Need To Know
House Bill 503 would require hospitals, birth centers and home birth providers to give new parents drowning prevention education before discharge
A Central Florida dad said his daughter nearly drowned after a bike she was riding veered off a cliff and into a river
First responders and swim instructors say most child drownings happen in seconds and can often be prevented. Senate Bill 608 would require pool safety features at vacation rentals with residential swimming pools
House Bill 503 would require hospitals, birth centers, and home birth providers to provide drowning prevention education to new parents from Day 1.
For Richard and Eloise Lewin, water safety is personal. A family bike ride turned into a moment they’ll never forget. A few years ago while on vacation, Eloise’s bike suddenly veered off a path and into a river.
“For some reason, her handlebars turned 90 degrees, and she cycled literally straight across into the river,” said her father, Richard Lewin. “Worse still, it’s an 8-foot high bank, so she goes off like a car would go off the side of a cliff, and the bicycle lands in the water.”
He said it was the scariest moment of his life.
“It went from a moment of pleasure and fun walking along the river to a heart-stopping moment where you knew that life would change permanently if action was not immediate and taken,” Lewin said.
Seconds changed everything.
“I’m like, ‘Am I going to make it? How am I going to get out of here?’,” Eloise said.
Today, the 8-year-old is stronger in the water and takes swim classes at Goldfish Swimming School.
“I love swimming. It’s really fun,” she said.
Swim lessons became a priority after that day, her family members said.
“Swimming is not optional. It shouldn’t be in Florida,” Lewin said.
According to the Florida Department of Children and Families, drowning remains the leading cause of death for children under 5 years old in Florida. In 2025, 119 children drowned statewide. Nearly 80% of those children were under the age of 3.
Law enforcement officers said they see the consequences when safety steps are missed.
Seminole County Deputy Gibran Bakhshi has responded to multiple drowning calls involving young children.
“Thankfully, God had me in the right place at the right time. When that 911 call came out, I was literally right around the corner. So I was able to pull up and take over CPR efforts,” Bakhshi said.
Many of these cases happen in seconds, he said.
“You can turn your back to check on the laundry, and that’s all the time that’s needed for a child to just wander in the back,” Bakhshi said.
At community pools, instructors said teaching children to swim as young as possible can make a difference.
“People are going to think they’re too little. They won’t understand, but it’s actually a familiar territory for them, believe it or not,” said Denise Moore, a pool supervisor with the City of Orlando Aquatics Department.
Now, state lawmakers are pushing to make water safety education start from Day 1.
State Representative Anna Eskamani filed House Bill 503.
“It would require that when a newborn enters the world, their parents are given information about drowning prevention, about swimming classes that are accessible at no cost, and really ensure that parents or caregivers are receiving that education from the beginning, that child’s life,” Eskamani said.
For the Lewin family, they said they hope their story helps move the bill forward.
“It was a moment where either it was going to happen, or it was going to be a disaster. Total loss. And I would say no parent wants to be put in that position,” Lewin said.
For them, water safety is no longer just a lesson, it’s a priority.
A companion bill in the Senate has already made its way unanimously through two committees. If House Bill 503 passes, it could take effect as early as July 1.
Lawmakers say the goal is to make sure every parent has life-saving information before a tragedy ever happens.
There is also Senate Bill 608, which would require pool safety features at vacation rentals.
The legislation comes as state data shows an increase in fatal child drownings at short-term rental properties. Lawmakers said many visiting families are unfamiliar with pool safety features at those homes.
If the bill becomes law, owners of vacation rentals with pools would be required to install at least one safety feature. Those who fail to comply could face fines.