Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is showing a tougher stance on boating under the influence (BUI) after signing HB 289, known as "Lucy's Law," into effect. This new bill, set to take effect on July 1, increases penalties for those convicted of BUI-related offenses. It pays homage to Lucy Fernandez, a 17-year-old who tragically lost her life in a boating accident in 2022, as reported by NBC Miami.
The signing was announced with an emotional statement from the Lucy Fernandez Foundation on Instagram, "We are overcome with emotion and gratitude as we share the news: Lucy’s Law has been signed by Governor DeSantis. On this Feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, we give thanks for the strength that has carried us and for the community that has stood with us," according to NBC Miami. The legislation draws a harder line for reckless boating, instituting a mandatory minimum 4-year prison sentence for BUI manslaughter, a move that aligns maritime penalties more closely with those of vehicular infractions on land.
Aside from the increased penalties, the new law also mandates boating safety education for individuals found guilty of a criminal or non-criminal boating infraction, a compromise from what was initially proposed to include widespread mandatory education for all boaters. Despite the changes, it's aimed to foster heightened responsibility among boat operators. Moreover, the legislation imposes penalties for actions such as leaving the scene of a boating accident and providing false statements to law enforcement officers, activities that were detailed in coverage from The Palm Beach Post.
While the bill has been signed, some of the Fernandez family's and initial sponsors' recommendations, including the suspension of vehicle driver's licenses for BUI convictions were left out of the final legislation. Even so, Lucy's Law represents a significant shift towards stricter governance over Florida's waters, which reported 659 accidents and 59 fatalities in 2023, indicating a substantial number of vessels and, consequently potential risk scenarios for boaters along the state's coastlines.
