US Senate passes ‘Lulu’s law’ for nationwide shark attack alerts

U.S. senators unanimously passed a bill on Tuesday that would establish a system that would provide emergency alerts to cellphones when there’s been a shark attack nearby.

The bill is known as Lulu’s Law, named after a 16-year-old Alabama girl named Lulu Gribbin, who survived a shark attack in June 2024 while visiting the Florida Panhandle.

“Just over a year since Lulu survived a nearly fatal shark attack, I couldn’t be more honored to see the Senate unanimously pass this legislation,” U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Alabama, said in a news release. “Lulu’s grit, strength, and faith have truly inspired our nation and her determination to help other families and beachgoers is nothing short of remarkable.

“Lulu’s Law is commonsense legislation that would empower authorities to quickly and accurately put information in the hands of beachgoers to help keep them out of harm’s way.”

Britt is the primary sponsor of the bill.

The U.S. Senate version of the bill goes to the House of Representatives for a vote.

According to the release from Britt’s office, the bill would direct the Federal Communications Commission to issue an order providing that shark attacks as an event for which wireless emergency alerts may be transmitted.

The proposal would also “empower authorized local, state, tribal and federal government authorities to quickly deploy warnings via mobile phone alert messages to the public if a shark has attacked someone or if the conditions enhancing the possibility of a shark attack are present.”

Gribbin and her parents have advocated for the legislation.

“Lulu is truly a miracle, both in the way she has adapted to her new lifestyle and how she is using her experience as a catalyst to protect beachgoers,” her parents Ann Blair and Joe Gribbin wrote in a release. “Real change for families like ours who just want to keep our children safe is now one step away.

“We strongly encourage the U.S. House of Representatives to pass this commonsense legislation that could prevent future shark attacks.”

In October, the state of Alabama will officially implement its statewide shark alert system. Lulu Gribbin also advocated for Alabama's statewide system, which Republican Gov. Kay Ivey signed in May.

In June 2024, Lulu Gribbin endured nearly fatal injuries sustained when a shark attacked her and McCray Faust. Just 90 minutes earlier and a few miles away, a shark attacked another woman.