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Senate
SB371 / File No. 299 1
General Assembly File No. 299
February Session, 2026 Senate Bill No. 371
Senate, April 1, 2026
The Committee on Public Safety and Security reported through
SEN. GASTON of the 23rd Dist., Chairperson of the Committee
on the part of the Senate, that the bill ought to pass.
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE
REQUIREMENT FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF TWELVE
WHILE ON PUBLIC DOCKS, WHARVES AND PIERS.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:
Section 1. (NEW) ( Effective October 1, 2026 ) Notwithstanding the 1
provisions of any special act, municipal charter or home rule ordinance, 2
any child under the age of twelve shall wear a personal flotation device 3
while on any public dock, wharf or pier in the state. As used in this 4
section, "personal flotation device" has the same meaning as provided 5
in 33 CFR 175.13, as amended from time to time. 6
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
sections:
Section 1 October 1, 2026 New section
PS Joint Favorable
SB371 File No. 299
SB371 / File No. 299 2
The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of
the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not
represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose. In general,
fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional
knowledge. Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final
products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.
OFA Fiscal Note
State Impact:
Agency Affected Fund-Effect FY 27 $
Department of Energy and
Environmental Protection
GF – Minimal Cost Up to $10,000
Note: GF=General Fund
Municipal Impact: None
Explanation
The bill will result in a minimal cost in FY 27, of up to $10,000, to the
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). The cost
is associated with the purchase of additional personal flotation devices,
to support educational programs run by DEEP. Under the bill, personal
floatation devices will be required for all children under 12 years old,
while on any public dock, wharf, or pier in the state. Additionally, DEEP
will require new signage at public docks, wharfs and piers, to inform
the public of the required change.
The Out Years
There will be minimal outyear costs associated with the replacement
of personal flotation devices.
SB371 File No. 299
SB371 / File No. 299 3
OLR Bill Analysis
SB 371
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE
REQUIREMENT FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF TWELVE
WHILE ON PUBLIC DOCKS, WHARVES AND PIERS.
SUMMARY
This bill requires all children under age 12 to wear a personal
flotation device while on any public dock, wharf, or pier in the state. The
bill specifies that this requirement applies regardless of any existing
special act, municipal charter, or home rule ordinance provisions.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2026
BACKGROUND
Related Bill
HB 5273 (File 15), favorably reported by the Children Committee, has
identical provisions.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Public Safety and Security Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 29 Nay 0 (03/17/2026)