'Today Was The Best Day Of My Life': Cuomo Signs Brianna's Law

COPIAGUE, NY - Gina Lieneck has been looking for a way to honor her late daughter Brianna Lieneck for years. That day finally arrived on Tuesday as Gov. Andrew Cuomo officially signed Brianna's Law.

Gina has been working to get the law passed since last year. Last month the law passed the assembly and the senate.

"Today was the best day of my life," she said.

Brianna tragically died in 2005 at 11-years-old after a boat crashed into the family craft on the Great South Bay.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Cuomo signed the legislation alongside the Deer Park resident and other elected officials, which would all operators of motorized watercraft must complete a state-approved boating safety course.

The measure expands an earlier law signed by Cuomo that requires boaters born after May 1, 1996 to complete a safety course before operating a motorized watercraft.

During the conference, Gina said that made a promise to Brianna, and was very happy she never broke it.

"Brianna, we did it," she said. "It's a bittersweet day. I'm sad I had to be there to lose Briana but happy this law will help to save lives."

Under the new bill, all motor boat operators born on or after Jan. 1, 1993 must complete a safety course to operate a motor boat beginning in 2020, those born after Jan. 1, 1988 must complete a safety course beginning in 2022, those born on or after Jan. 1, 1983 must complete a safety course beginning in 2023, and those born on or after Jan. 1, 1978 must complete a safety course beginning in 2024.

Related:

• Mom 'Begged God To Take Me' After Boat Crash That Killed Daughter
• Mom: Daughter Killed In Boat Crash Was 'Cheated Out Of Life'
• Mom Honors Daughter Who Died In Boating Tragedy
• Long Island Mom Continues Fight To Pass 'Brianna's Law'
• Long Awaited Brianna's Law Passes Assembly, Senate

The requirement would extend to all motor boat operators beginning in 2025, regardless of age.

The punishment for not completing the course could result in a fine of between $100 and $250 under the new law that goes into effect Jan. 1, 2020.

In addition, Cuomo also directed State Parks to launch a boating safety promotional campaign to remind boaters of the new requirement to take a safety course. The law does not apply to operators of sailboats, kayaks, standup paddle boards, rowboats or canoes.

"Boating has become much more popular and our rules and our laws really have not kept pace with it," he said. "There should be a basic level of knowledge that you have before you're given the permission to go out there and operate a boat, and making a safety course mandatory is common sense. It protects the operator of the boat and everyone that operator could come into contact with, and it will make our waters safer. It took a horrific accident to make this situation real for people, but through this law Brianna is saving lives and her love lives on."

According to the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, there are nearly one million boaters who will have to take the safety courses before the end of the phase-in on Jan. 1, 2025.

There are nearly 439,000 registered powerboats in the state, according to the 2018 state Recreational Boating Report.

"It's critical that our waterways are safe from dangerous and reckless boating, and this law will ensure anyone operating a motorized watercraft has the proper training to navigate the waters safely," Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said.

Gina is very thankful to her supporters for making this possible.

"There were times that I have felt cursed but I've been very blessed with everyone through the years that have supported me and helped me along the way and helped me get to the point of getting this bill signed."

She also is especially grateful for the Town of Babylon officials who she calls her "second family."

Now Gina is working on supporting a new law that would make boating while intoxicated with a child on board a felony, similar to Leandra's Law for driving, and result in loss of license.

"It's just as an important bill as the water safety classes because people need to be held responsible for their actions."