A Florida legislator has filed a bill to improve ride safety nearly a year after Orlando’s freefall death.

ORLANDO, Florida. A Florida legislator recently submitted a bill to the Senate to improve the safety of rides in the state almost a year after 14-year-old Tyre Sampson fell to his death during a fall in Orlando.

State Senator Geraldine Thompson named the legislation the Sampson Tire Act in honor of the teenager who slid out of his seat on the 400-foot ICON Park ride and died on March 24, 2022 while visiting Orlando from Missouri. during spring break.

The bill passed as Thompson, along with Senator Randolph Bracey and Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, pushed for a legislative appeal to prevent a repeat of the Sampson tragedy.

The bill would change the safety standards for rides statewide by requiring regular commissioning of rides and the submission of certification reports for any ride that undergoes major modifications, independent testing by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, of permanent rides first launched in Florida after July 1. , 2023, have on hand the commissioning and certification report, permanent trips to apply for an annual permit, an annual affidavit confirming that the trip has been inspected in person, an electronic copy of current manufacturer recommended operating instructions, and a demonstration of the trip. allow.

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It would also allow the Florida Department of Agriculture and Human Services to “conduct unannounced inspections for certain purposes” and review “the circumstances in which an amusement ride owner or manager must report an accident,” the bill says in part.

The bill follows the Orlando FreeFall investigation, which led Florida officials to conclude that Sampson’s death was caused by changes made to the seat’s sensors. They then sought a US$250,000 administrative fine from the ride’s operator, who has since opposed the findings.

“The proposed changes brought about by this act are necessary to address the security concerns uncovered by the department’s investigation into (Sampson’s death),” the bill reads.

The Orlando FreeFall at ICON Park has closed following the death of a teenager and is about to be demolished.

If passed, the Sampson Tire Act would go into effect July 1.

[READ THE FULL BILL HERE]

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