FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2001
Contact: Rep. Mark Moses
Tel.: 586-8500




Recommitted Bill Creates Safety Concerns


Rep. Mark Moses released the following statement:


The House today recommitted a bill that would have provided some immunity for county lifeguards and their employers during the performance of the lifeguard's duties.


"This bill would have provided some protection from liability for the counties that provide lifeguard services," said Rep. Mark Moses (R-Makakilo, Kapolei). "With the re-committal, I worry that the counties may not place lifeguards on our beaches. This creates an unsafe situation. I fear a life could be lost because we did not take action."


The Legislature has continually refused to grant the counties the same level of immunity the state receives. Even though the present version provided the counties limited protection regarding lifeguard services, the State needs to do more to assist the counties with the growing problem of beach park liability.


"Each year," said Moses, " the counties spend hundreds of thousands of dollars in settlements, damages, attorneys' fees and other costs that arise as the result of alleged injuries at county owned and operated beach parks. It is simply unfair to hold the counties responsible for beach and ocean conditions that the county often has very little control over."


"The State has seen fit to give itself immunity from lawsuits resulting from beach and ocean conditions at State beach parks, yet the State is still unwilling to provide the same immunity to the counties, "he added. "While the final version would have helped with the issue of providing more lifeguard services, the State still needs to address the larger issue of county beach park liability and give the counties the same protections that the State currently enjoys."

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