Bill > S3702

Introduced Session

This bill prohibits any business entity from selling, distributing, manufacturing, delivering, holding, or offering for sale in this State a personal flotation device (PFD) that is not approved by the United States Coast Guard. Under the bill, a "personal flotation device" is defined as a wearable device, including but not limited to a lifejacket, puddle jumper, water wings, or other flotation device designed for recreational swimming and to be worn or attached to the body of a person who is less than 12 years of age. Any business entity that violates the provisions of this bill would be subject to a civil penalty of up to $100 for a first offense, $250 for a second offense, and $500 for a third or subsequent offense. The penalty may be collected and enforced by the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety in a summary proceeding pursuant to the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.). Several agencies and experts have issued warnings about the risks associated with certain PFDs, such as water wings, which can deflate or slip off, creating a false sense of safety for children and their parents. From 2018 to 2020, an average of 371 children under 15 drowned in pools or spas each year, and in 2022 there were about 6,400 non-fatal drowning incidents in the same age group. The American Red Cross advises children, inexperienced swimmers, and boaters to wear United States Coast Guard-approved life jackets. This bill aims to reduce confusion by prohibiting the sale and manufacture of unsafe PFDs from the market to better ensure that consumers can select reliable and effective PFDs for their safety.

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Joe Vitale (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Commerce Committee (on 09/30/2024)

Official Document