TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Orlando Democratic Sen. Geraldine Thompson filed legislation Thursday Feb. 16 to improve ride safety in Florida.

What You Need To Know

  • The legislative effort is inspired by the tragic death of Tyree Sampson

  •  The bill empowers the state to conduct unannouced inspections

  •  It also creates minimum training standards

  • Sampson died last year after falling roughly 70-feet to his death while aboard the Free Fall Ride at ICON Park

The proposal seeks to heighten ride safety at amusement parks with  a slew of changes, including increased oversight and new, stiffer regulations. It empowers the state to conduct unannounced ride inspections. It  would also require additional inspections after a ride operate performs “major modification.” 

The legislative effort is inspired by the tragic death of Tyree Sampson, a 14-year-old tourist killed in Orlando last year after falling roughly 70-feet to his death while aboard the Free Fall Ride at ICON Park.

“I don’t want to see this happen again,” said Thompson.

Many of the changes are the product of consultations and investigations into Sampson’s death, Thompson said. The bill, for example, establishes minimum training standards for ride attendants.

Investigators determined several issues, including a tampered sensor, led to Sampson’s death. Additionally, investigators noted ride attendees underwent limited training. Sampson, a six foot tall student athlete,  weighed nearly 100 pounds above the ride’s approved limit.

“The proposed changes made by this act are necessary to address the safety problems discovered during the department’s investigation,” says the bill. 

Thompson says the she is optimistic lawmakers and the public will receive the bill well. No theme parks, she says, have objected. She’s also working in concert with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which oversees ride safety. The department is led by newly-minted Commissioner Wilton Simpson, a former top Republican in the Legislature.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services did not provide a statement in time for publication. 

“I’m looking to work across the aisle because it is not a partisan issue,” Thompson said. “It’s a life, health and safety issue. And it cuts to the economy of the State of Florida, which is a tourism economy.”

If signed into law, the bill would take effect July 1. Lawmakers will take the bill into consideration in the upcoming legislative session. 

The Free Fall ride, meanwhile, is closed. Owners plan to demolish the ride after an investigation is completed.