The State House has unanimously passed a bill designed to prevent boating tragedies like the one that claimed the life of a Bethel Park School Teacher four years ago.
State Representative Natalie Mihalek has been crusading for the bill, that addresses so called "Low Head Dams,", where dangerous currents can trap boaters and swimmers.
It was spurred by a 2022 kayaking accident involving a Pittsburgh area teacher and his father.
Jon Gentile and his father were kayaking on the Delaware River in 2022 when they encountered what's known as a low head dam that was unmarked. killing the teacher.
Low head dams are often called "drowning machines" because they're typically only one to 15 feet tall and create a whirlpool effect.
The Bill that cleared the House would require owners of the dams to post signage and the state to publish a list and maps of them.
