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HB 5273

AN ACT REQUIRING CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF TWELVE TO WEAR PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES ON DOCKS, WHARFS AND PIERS.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Gresko and 2 co-sponsors

Connecticut bill mandates children under 12 wear life jackets on docks/piers/wharfs to reduce drowning risk in high-exposure water environments.

FILE NO. 15
#children #publicsafety #wharves #docksandpiers
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Bill Summary · HB 5273

Legislative bill overview

HB 5273 mandates that children under 12 years old wear personal flotation devices (PFDs) while on docks, wharfs, and piers in Connecticut. The bill establishes a new safety requirement for one of the most common points of water access where drowning accidents occur.

Why is this important

Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 1-4 and the second leading cause for ages 5-14. Docks and similar structures create elevated drowning risks due to ease of accidental falls and reduced rescue response time. This measure directly addresses a documented public health vulnerability by targeting a specific high-risk environment.

Potential points of contention

  • Enforcement mechanism unclear: The bill text doesn't specify who enforces the requirement (parents, facility operators, authorities), potential penalties, or liability frameworks
  • Scope definition: "Docks, wharfs and piers" may be ambiguously defined—unclear whether residential docks, commercial facilities, or both are covered, and who determines compliance
  • Parental autonomy vs. safety: Some argue mandatory PFD requirements infringe on parental decision-making for children they're actively supervising, though safety advocates counter this protects vulnerable populations

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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