SENATE LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 601

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  FEBRUARY 19, 2026

      The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 601.

      As amended and reported by the committee, this bill requires information to be provided regarding the types of United States Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices, commonly known as life jackets, under certain circumstances.

      Under current law, owners of vessels, including personal watercraft such as jet skis, are required to register their vessels through an application provided by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.  The amended bill requires that the registration application include information regarding the types of United States Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices, including when each type is required pursuant to applicable State and federal laws, rules, and regulations, and when the use of a particular type is recommended. 

      Additionally, the amended bill requires that the applicant acknowledge that he or she has read the information by signing, initialing, or checking a box on the application, or by providing written or electronic confirmation of receipt of the information.  The Chief Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Commission is required to consult with the Superintendent of State Police and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, or its successor organization, regarding the information to be included on the application.

      Further, under current law, all operators of power vessels and personal watercraft on New Jersey waters are required to complete a boating safety course approved by the Superintendent of State Police.  The amended bill requires approved boating safety courses to include comprehensive instruction on the types of United States Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices, including when each type is required pursuant to applicable State and federal laws, rules, and regulations, and when the use of a particular type is recommended. 

      In addition, under the amended bill, any person engaged in the business of selling or renting personal watercraft for use on the waters of this State is required to provide each purchaser or renter, at the point of sale or rental, with informational materials prepared by the Superintendent of State Police regarding the types of United States Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices, including when each type is required pursuant to applicable State and federal laws, rules, and regulations, and when the use of a particular type is recommended. 

      The amended bill provides that any person who purchases or rents a personal watercraft is required, at the time of the transaction, to acknowledge that he or she has read the information by signing, initialing, or checking a box on the purchase or rental agreement, or by providing written or electronic confirmation of receipt of the information. 

      Finally, under the provisions of the amended bill, any person engaged in the business of selling or renting a personal watercraft is required to make available to each purchaser or renter the option to purchase or rent a United States Coast Guard approved Type I personal flotation device, regardless of whether other types of personal flotation devices are also available or offered as part of the sale or rental.

      The United States Coast Guard classifies personal flotation devices, commonly known as life jackets, into five types, each offering varying levels of buoyancy. Type I life jackets provide the highest level of buoyancy and are specifically designed to turn an unconscious person face-up and keep them in a safe, upright position in the water. On July 27, 2025, Dylan Geller tragically lost his life after suffering a seizure while in the water, despite being properly licensed to operate a personal watercraft and wearing a Type III life jacket purchased from a reputable source. The purpose of the bill is to ensure that all individuals operating a personal watercraft are properly informed about the differences between life jacket types and the critical role these distinctions play in protecting those engaged in water activities. It is also the intent of the sponsor to designate this bill as “Dylan’s Law.”

      This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 2026-2027 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to remove “Dylan’s Law” from the title and synopsis of the bill.