Committee hears H.187 to require life jackets on boats from Nov. 1 to May 1

Representative Ray Garofano presented H.187 on March 20, telling the House Transportation Committee the bill would require everyone on boats to wear a personal flotation device during the highest-risk cold-weather period, defined in the bill as November 1 through May 1. Garofano said the proposal was developed by the Vermont Water Safety Action Committee — a coalition that includes Safe Kids Vermont, UVM Children’s Hospital, the Vermont Department of Health and the Vermont State Police Marine Division — and that the committee’s 2022 report and supporting brochures were posted to the committee website.

Garofano described cold-water immersion risks and recent Vermont incidents: he cited drownings in 2021 and 2022 where low water temperature was a factor and a 2024 capsized canoe that was rescued by state police. He underscored physical effects of cold water, noting the U.S. Coast Guard guidance that immersion and sudden cold shock can impair dexterity within minutes. Garofano said the goal is to increase self-rescue time and public awareness.

Committee members asked operational questions about exemptions and enforcement: whether ferries and other commercial vessels inspected by the Coast Guard would be exempt (Garofano said the bill’s drafting exempts Coast Guard‑inspected commercial vessels), who would enforce the requirement, whether wearing would be required on larger vessels or only carrying an accessible device, and whether the bill should be accompanied by a public-education campaign. Garofano and members noted the Health Department supported the concept and could assist with outreach; Garofano said he had not yet identified any appropriation or detailed fiscal impact.

No vote was taken; committee members generally described the bill as "common sense" and suggested follow-up testimony from the Health Department and marine-safety experts on enforcement and exemptions.