Dock safety bill to be heard in Senate

UPDATE: The bill was passed by the committee and now the Senate will vote on it.

Angela Anderson spoke to the Senate about how firefighters are now the ones that come out and inspect the docks but Anderson says they do not necessary know what they’re doing.

She also stated the Lake of the Ozarks has more electrocutions each year than every other state.

She also said more than 20,000 docks are not up to code.

ORIGINAL: State lawmakers on Thursday will discuss a bill in the Senate aimed at preventing shock drowning on Missouri Lakes.

The bill addresses safety concerns over the grounding of electrical power specifically at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Back in 2012 there were three deaths blamed on the electrical current.

Among them were two children, Alexandra and Brayden Anderson. They were swimming by their families dock when they were shocked and drowned.

Sen. Jake Hummel says he is passionate about the bill.

The lake is home to more than 25,000 docks. Ameren only requires private homes with electrical power be inspected if the dock is new, rebuilt, or sold to a new family. The older docks do not have to be inspected.

This bill would require Ameren to check all docks and have up to date electrical safety standards.