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Indiana House unanimously approves bill aimed at preventing drownings in Lake Michigan

A boat crew stands on a U.S. Coast Guard boat wearing life jackets with two Guard members standing near by. A large, yellow, inflatable raft sits in the water next to the Coast Guard boat.
Ensign Thomas Morrell
/
U.S. Coast Guard District 9
A boat crew from Coast Guard Station Milwaukee rescues three men from Lake Michigan after their boat capsized near South Shore Marina in Milwaukee, 2015.

The Indiana House unanimously approved a bill on Tuesday that aims to reduce drowning deaths on Lake Michigan.

SB 253, authored by Sen. Rodney Pol (D-Chesterton), would require those who maintain public beaches and piers on the lake to have highly visible, emergency flotation devices available. Local governments would also have to report drownings at public sites at least twice a year.

READ MORE: Bill to require rescue equipment along Lake Michigan aims to prevent drownings

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Six people drowned last year alone along Lake Michigan beaches and other public sites in Indiana.

The bill now goes back to the Senate for consideration.

Rebecca is our energy and environment reporter. Contact her at rthiele@iu.edu or follow her on Twitter at @beckythiele.

Rebecca Thiele covers statewide environment and energy issues.