Drowning prevention legislation signed into law in Florida
A bipartisan measure widened access to swim lessons for children ages 1 to 7 and requires new parents to receive water safety guidance after birth.
Updated: 12:35 PM EDT Apr 22, 2026
A bipartisan Florida bill aimed at reducing child drownings is now law after moving through both chambers without a single “no” vote. SB 428 expands the state’s Swimming Lesson Voucher Program by changing eligibility from children 4 and younger to children ages 1 to 7. The bill also grew into a broader water-safety measure when senators added language from a separate drowning prevention proposal. That amendment requires the Florida Department of Health to develop educational materials on drowning prevention, pool and bathtub safety, and safe bathing practices. Hospitals, birth centers, home birth providers and childbirth educators must provide those materials to new parents and caregivers as part of postpartum education and care. The House passed the Senate bill on March 9, and Gov. Ron DeSantis approved it on April 21. It was assigned Chapter 2026-38 on April 22 and takes effect July 1, 2026.TimelineNov. 7, 2025 SB 428 filed in the Senate.Jan. 20, 2026Clears Senate Health Policy.Feb. 4, 2026Clears Senate Appropriations on Health and Human Services.Feb. 12, 2026Clears Senate Fiscal Policy.Feb. 24, 2026Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith files an amendment adding drowning-prevention/postpartum education language from SB 606.Feb. 25, 2026Senate adopts amendments and passes SB 428.March 5, 2026Bill taken up in the House calendar.March 9, 2026House passes SB 428.House companion HB 85 is laid on the table.March 17, 2026Bill ordered enrolled.April 21, 2026Signed by legislative officers, presented to the governor and approved by Gov. DeSantis.April 22, 2026Becomes Chapter 2026-38, meaning it is the 38th law signed by the governor in the year 2026.July 1, 2026The law takes effect.
A bipartisan Florida bill aimed at reducing child drownings is now law after moving through both chambers without a single “no” vote.
SB 428 expands the state’s Swimming Lesson Voucher Program by changing eligibility from children 4 and younger to children ages 1 to 7.
The bill also grew into a broader water-safety measure when senators added language from a separate drowning prevention proposal. That amendment requires the Florida Department of Health to develop educational materials on drowning prevention, pool and bathtub safety, and safe bathing practices.
Hospitals, birth centers, home birth providers and childbirth educators must provide those materials to new parents and caregivers as part of postpartum education and care.
The House passed the Senate bill on March 9, and Gov. Ron DeSantis approved it on April 21.
It was assigned Chapter 2026-38 on April 22 and takes effect July 1, 2026.
Timeline
Nov. 7, 2025 SB 428 filed in the Senate.Jan. 20, 2026Clears Senate Health Policy.Feb. 4, 2026Clears Senate Appropriations on Health and Human Services.Feb. 12, 2026Clears Senate Fiscal Policy.Feb. 24, 2026Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith files an amendment adding drowning-prevention/postpartum education language from SB 606.Feb. 25, 2026Senate adopts amendments and passes SB 428.March 5, 2026Bill taken up in the House calendar.March 9, 2026House passes SB 428.House companion HB 85 is laid on the table.March 17, 2026April 21, 2026Signed by legislative officers, presented to the governor and approved by Gov. DeSantis.April 22, 2026Becomes Chapter 2026-38, meaning it is the 38th law signed by the governor in the year 2026.July 1, 2026
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