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HB 6519

Relief/Estate of Peniel Janvier/City of Miami Beach

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Juan Porras

HB 6519 authorizes $1.7M to the Estate of Peniel Janvier to complete a $2M settlement with Miami Beach over a drowning, beyond the $300k already paid; settles all claims.

Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see SB 14 (Ch. 2025-218)
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Bill Summary · HB 6519

HB 6519 — Relief/ Estate of Peniel Janvier / City of Miami Beach

Bill number: HB 6519 (Rep. Porras) — introduced Jan 24, 2025
Subject: Claims bills (private relief)

Purpose / Intent

HB 6519 is a private relief (claims) bill that would authorize payment to the Estate of Peniel Janvier to satisfy a negotiated settlement arising from Janvier’s drowning death at a City‑of‑Miami‑Beach pool. The bill implements the settlement agreed between the Estate and the City (total $2,000,000) by providing the additional funds needed beyond the $300,000 the City has already paid under Florida’s sovereign immunity limits.

Key provisions

  • Approves/authorizes payment of $1,700,000 to the Estate of Peniel Janvier to satisfy the parties’ $2,000,000 settlement.
  • Effectively completes the settlement between the Estate (claimants, Janvier’s parents) and the City of Miami Beach and would resolve related claims released by the claimant.
  • The bill is supported by both the Estate and the City.

(Note: the committee reports describe the payment and settlement terms; the bill is a statutory vehicle to implement that relief.)

Findings of fact summarized from Special Master’s report

  • Incident date: August 16, 2022, at the Scott Rakow Youth Center pool (City-operated).
  • The pool was unusually crowded for a camp farewell party. Although multiple lifeguard chairs were present, only two lifeguards supervised the pool at a time; no pool manager was onsite; lifeguards were not assigned zones.
  • Contributing factors identified: inadequate supervision, failure to enforce pool rules (rough play, prohibited flotation devices), loud music, and at least one lifeguard observed on video using a cellphone while on duty.
  • Janvier (28) was pushed into the deep end, struggled, and drowned. Surveillance and witness evidence showed delayed recognition and response by lifeguards and staff.
  • The City and Estate settled for $2,000,000; the City has paid $300,000 (the statutory cap), leaving $1,700,000 outstanding.

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiary: Estate of Peniel Janvier (claimants).
  • Financial impact: likely a state appropriation or other funding authorization to provide the $1,700,000 payment (specified in the bill language/reports).
  • The City of Miami Beach would be released from further liability pursuant to the settlement’s terms.

Fiscal and procedural notes

  • Net fiscal effect: payment of $1,700,000 to the Estate (as reflected in committee materials).
  • Special Master recommended the bill be reported favorably.
  • Legislative actions: Favorable by Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee (3/13/2025) and Judiciary Committee (4/2/2025); released to House Calendar and added to Second Reading. Laid on Table 4/29/2025 with a companion bill SB 14 having passed (Ch. 2025‑218).
  • Status: Laid on Table (companion bill passed as SB 14, Ch. 2025‑218).

This summary is based on the Special Master’s final report and committee reports accompanying HB 6519.

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

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