Finally! Some teeth given to the DOH to CLOSE unhealthy beach water sites
New HB 177 promotes improved water quality at beaches and public swimming areas. Rather than just “authorize” the Florida Department of Health to close beaches when unhealthy water quality exists, the bill now “requires” the DOH to test swimming waters, close beaches and public swimming places, and it mandates warning signage at beaches and public swimming areas where water quality is harmful to human health.
According to the Florida Senate’s website https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/177 this “Safe Waterways Act” requires the Florida Department of Health (DOH) “to adopt and enforce rules, and to issue health advisories under certain circumstances; directs DOH to require closure of beach waters & public bathing places under certain circumstances; requires DOH to adopt health advisory sign & posted in specified manner; provides municipalities & counties are responsible for maintaining such signage; requires DOH and FWCC to coordinate to implement signage requirements; requires DOH to establish public statewide interagency database & coordinate with DEP to adopt certain rules & procedures for such database.”
Effective Date: 7/1/2023
Last Action: 4/3/2023 House - Now in Health Care Appropriations
SEE Bill Text HERE: PDF
- Ask for Support of House Bill 177 -
Contact Tip: it’s easy to copy and paste the same message in each email address. Better yet, on a WEEKEND read the same message into their phone messaging service. They pay close attention to phone calls!
Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee
Black, Dean [R] OUR Nassau County Representative