The Florida House unanimously passed a bill 112-0 on Wednesday that would increase boating safety in the state in honor of 17-year-old Lucy Fernandez, who tragically died after a 2022 boat crash during Labor Day Weekend on Biscayne Bay
"Lucy's Law" was filed by Reps. Vicki Lopez (R-Miami) and Vanessa Oliver (R-Punta Gorda).
"House Bill 289 is known as Lucy's Law. It is named in honor of Lucy Fernandez, a beautiful 17-year-old who was tragically killed in a preventable boating accident," Oliver said on the House floor. "This bill aims to make our waters safer by expanding boater educational requirements and increasing penalties for reckless behavior."
Lucy Fernandez died after a driver of a 29-foot vessel with 14 passengers on board, including Lucy, struck a channel marker near Boca Chita Key in Miami-Dade County. The driver was later charged with vessel homicide in connection with the crash.
Rep. Oliver thanked Lucy Fernandez's parents, Melissa and Andy Fernandez, who were in the House gallery, for their work on the bill.
"I'd like to thank them for their strength, courage, and determination. "They've turned the unimaginable pain of losing their precious daughter into purpose by advocating for greater safety on the waters that we all love," Oliver tearfully said.
The bill received a round of applause from the House after it was passed.
Sen. Jonathan Martin (R-Fort Myers) is carrying the Senate version of the bill (SB 628). Sen. Martin's bill has one more committee stop.
If fully passed by the Florida Legislature, HB 298/SB 628 would go into effect on July 1.
