Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre (D-Babylon) announced that legislation she introduced, known as Brianna’s Law, which requires that all individuals who operate mechanically propelled boats or other aquatic vessels receive adequate training in boater safety, passed the Assembly (A.9806-A).

“Long Island’s beautiful bodies of water should be enjoyed, but it’s crucial that anyone operating a boat understands how to safely navigate our waterways,” said Jean-Pierre. “We cannot allow careless mistakes to cost innocent lives. This bill will help prevent avoidable and tragic boating accidents like the one that took Brianna Lieneck too soon.”

The bill is named for Brianna Lieneck, an 11-year-old from Deer Park who was killed in a boating collision while she and her family were traveling home from a day on Fire Island in 2005. Her parents, Gina and Frank Lieneck, also sustained critical injuries in the crash and have since been outspoken advocates for strengthening boating safety education across the state.

Under current law, only individuals born after May 1, 1996, are required to take boating safety courses (Ch. 361 of 2013). Jean-Pierre’s legislation ensures that all individuals age 10 or older operating powerful propelled vessels are educated on current boating procedures. It also ensures operators on online safety classes verify the identity of individuals taking the course prior to awarding boating safety certificate. We expect people getting behind the wheel of a car or riding a motorcycle to know what they’re doing, and the same should apply for boaters, noted Jean-Pierre.