DeSantis signs bill to raise awareness around hot car deaths
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation on Friday seeking to help combat hot car deaths in the state.
The legislation encourages state agencies and local governments to promote awareness of the dangers of leaving children unattended in cars.
It sets April as “Hot Car Death Prevention Month” to raise public awareness.
The legislation was named after Ariya Page, the “Ariya’s Act,” a baby who died after being left in a hot car due to heatstroke.
Reps. Chuck Brannan, R-Macclenny, and David Smith, R-Winter Springs, sponsored the bill, HB 591. Sen. Jennifer Bradley, R-Fleming Island, brough forth the Senate bill.
According to the bill analysis, since 1998, Florida has lost 110 children to vehicular heatstroke, seven of which died in 2023.
