Florida Lawmakers Advance Ride Safety Bill
Florida lawmakers are taking steps to enhance ride safety at theme parks and attractions throughout the state.
The move comes almost a year after the tragic death of Tyre Sampson, who fell from the Orlando Free Fall ride.
The Tyre Sampson Act, named in honor of the 14-year-old, includes provisions for more training for workers, tougher ride certification, and unannounced inspections of fixed and traveling rides and attractions.
The bill has gained bipartisan support, with Senator Geraldine Thompson, the sponsor of the act, stating that ride safety cannot be measured in dollars when it comes to protecting people.
The bill would also make safety belts mandatory on rides over 100 feet tall.
In addition, a second bill filed by Senator Thompson would exempt certain documents from public records law during ride accident investigations.
While the ride safety measure and the public records exemption both passed the Senate Agriculture Committee, attorneys for Tyre Sampson’s family expressed concerns about the bill exempting certain public records.
The bill now moves on to the next phase in the legislative process, with the hope of providing greater protection for riders across the state.
