Senator J. Kalani English
Majority Floor Leader
State Capitol, Room 205
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Phone: (808) 587-7225
E-mail: english1@capitol.hawaii.gov

PRESS RELEASE
June 18, 2002

SENATOR ENGLISH ANNOUNCES THAT LIFEGUARD LIABILITY BILL BECOMES ACT 170

Today, Senate Majority Floor Leader J. Kalani English (D Maui) announced that Acting Governor Mazie Hirono signed into law S.B. 796, C.D.2, as Act 170, Session Laws of Hawaii 2002.

"Act 170 is the culmination of several years of work on this issue, which began during my tenure as a Maui County council member", noted English, who authored the bill.

Act 170 will provide immunity from civil liability for county lifeguards who, within the scope of their duties, provide rescue, resuscitative, and other services on public beaches or in the ocean.

Senator English further noted, "This levels the playing field for county lifeguards, who provide similar services as other health care professionals, but who until now had to worry about being sued for performing acts that are part of their day-to-day job."

Act 170 also extends the sunset date to June 30, 2007 on Act 190, passed in 1996, which requires that the State and the respective counties ensure that public beach parks have adequate warning signs, devices and systems to prevent beach accidents.

English indicated that "this extension of the law requiring statewide posting of signage about the potential hazards of ocean recreation will not only protect the State and counties, but will keep our residents and visitors informed so they can more responsibly enjoy our ocean environs."

END

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