Long Awaited Brianna's Law Passes Assembly, Senate

DEER PARK, NY - Nearly 14 years of the death of her daughter, a Deer Park woman finally got "Brianna's Law" passed through both the State Assembly and State Senate to make New York waterways safer.

Gina Lieneck has been fighting for years to get a new boating safety law passed in honor of her daughter, Brianna Lieneck, who was killed in a tragic accident in 2005. The 11-year-old died after a boat crashed into the family craft on the Great South Bay.

Following her daughter's death, Lieneck has made it her mission to help get the law, which requires mandatory boating safety classes for mariners of all ages, passed.

Photo courtesy of Gina Lieneck

"Justice was never served to my daughter — her life was taken too soon — so the only gift I can give her is to make sure this doesn't happen to another family," Lieneck said. "I made a promise to her that I will do all that it takes to get this law passed. It's not just about the death of my daughter, but all the lives that have been lost on our waterways due to uneducated boaters."

Currently the only ones required to take any type of boating safety class are those born after May, 1996. The majority of boat owners are middle-aged adults who are not required to take any classes relating to boating.

The new legislation will require all individuals operating these powerful propelled vessels to take a boating safety course approved by the commissioner of parks, recreation and historic preservation.

Earlier this month, Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre and the NYS Assembly Majority passed the legislation and identical bill, sponsored by Senator John E. Brooks, passed the NYS Senate last month.

"It's been so many years working on it," Lieneck said. "I recently spoke at a community meeting and they honored me for getting the law passed so I told them 'never give up, you always have to keep pushing forward.' It was a tough journey but I'm so happy."

It now only has to receive the Governor’s signature to become law in NY, which is expected to happen very soon.

"The safety of our waterways in New York is every bit as important as the safety of our roadways," Brooks said."Brianna Lieneck and her family paid the ultimate price from inadequate regulation. Knowing the laws of the waterways is crucial and it is simply a matter of common sense that informed vessel-operators will result in safer waters. I am confident that it will save lives."