The U.S. Senate on Tuesday unanimously passed Lulu’s Law, which would establish a system to issue a public notice to cellphones when there’s been a shark attack nearby.
The bill, sponsored by U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., is named after Mountain Brook teenager Lulu Gribbin, who was one of three people bitten by a shark in a string of attacks off the Florida Panhandle last year.
She lost her left hand and a portion of her right leg in the attack.
“Just over a year since Lulu survived a nearly fatal shark attack, I couldn’t be more honored to see the Senate unanimously pass this legislation,” Britt wrote in a recent release.
“Lulu’s grit, strength, and faith have truly inspired our nation and her determination to help other families and beachgoers is nothing short of remarkable.”
According to the release, Lulu’s Law would direct the Federal Communication Commission to issue an order that includes shark attacks as an event for which wireless emergency alerts may be transmitted.
Specifically, Lulu’s Law would “empower authorized local, state, tribal, and federal government authorities to quickly deploy warnings via mobile phone alert messages to the public if a shark has attacked someone or if the conditions enhancing the possibility of a shark attack are present,” the release adds.
“Lulu’s Law is commonsense legislation that would empower authorities to quickly and accurately put information in the hands of beachgoers to help keep them out of harm’s way,” Britt wrote.
Gribbin, 16, and her parents have been outspoken supporters of the legislation.
“This bill will help prevent future attacks,” Gribbin told Alabama legislators in May.
“It’s like an Amber Alert when a child goes missing. It will send an alert when there has been a shark attack.”
The law will officially go into effect in Alabama on Oct. 1 after receiving Gov. Kay Ivey’s signature in early May.
“Alabama is proud to have the safest and most beautiful beaches in the world,” Ivey said in a previous statement.
“The added tool of having a shark alert system will help officials in Baldwin and Mobile counties keep our beachgoers safe and enjoying the refreshing waters of our Gulf of America.”
Supporters said the legislation will be an added measure of assurance for those headed to the beach.
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will create rules for the new alert system, according to the bill’s text.
The legislation has received bipartisan, bicameral support in Congress with Sens. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., Bill Cassidy, R-La., Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., Deb Fischer, R-Neb., Tim Kaine, D-Va., Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., and Chris Coons, D-Del. signing on as Senate cosponsors.
In the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Ala. introduced Lulu’s Law with Rep. Shomari Figures, D-Ala., as a cosponsor.
The Senate version of the bill will now go to the House for a vote.
“Real change for families like ours who just want to keep our children safe is now one step away,” said Lulu’s parents Ann Blair and Joe Gribbin.
“We strongly encourage the U.S. House of Representatives to pass this commonsense legislation that could prevent future shark attacks.”
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