Senate committee advances combined water-safety bill for rental and vacation properties

The Senate Regulated Industries Committee advanced a proposed committee substitute that merges SB 658 and SB 608, requiring new water-safety measures at rental and vacation properties and providing enforcement mechanisms for vacation-rental licenses.

Senator Smith, who presented the combined PCS, said Florida recorded high child-drowning counts in recent years and described the bills as necessary to confront a preventable crisis. He cited several statistics from the Department of Health and Department of Children and Families: a sponsor-stated 97 fatal child drownings in 2023 and 105 in 2024, and additional statements that Florida led the nation in drowning rates for certain child age groups. Senator Smith described specific PCS requirements: landlords of properties within 150 feet of a water body (excluding swimming pools) must either equip all exterior doors/windows that provide direct access with an exit alarm or install self‑closing, self‑latching locking devices with a release mechanism no lower than 54 inches above the ground. For residential swimming pools, landlords and vacation-rental operators must implement at least one of five pool-safety options defined in statute (examples mentioned include pool fencing, pool covers, flotation alarms, self‑latching locks on doors leading to pools, or exit alarms).

The PCS includes an enforcement role for the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) over vacation rentals, authorizing fines or license revocation for noncompliance and permitting a 45‑day cure period after notice of violation in specified circumstances.

Multiple stakeholders from Cocoa and industry groups, including the Florida Swimming and Pool Association, waived testimony in support. Senator Burgess emphasized the bill’s benefit for children with autism who may wander toward water, and Senator Smith closed by urging committee support. The committee reported the PCS favorably by roll call.