Rep. Palmer, Senator Britt introduce Lulu’s Law
The Bill allows shark attacks to be transmitted by the emergency alert system.
Alabama Congressman Gary Palmer (AL-06) introduced "Lulu’s Law" in the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday, March 11. The legislation is named after Lulu Gribbin, a Mountain Brook, Alabama, teenager who survived a brutal shark attack in June 2024.
Just 90 minutes before Lulu and her friend McCray Faust were attacked, another woman suffered a shark attack only a few miles away. Lulu’s Law aims to codify the authority for officials to quickly deploy Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) in the event of a shark attack or when conditions indicate a heightened risk.
“If there is a commonsense solution to keeping Americans safe and out of harm’s way, we should capitalize on it,” said Rep. Palmer. “Had an alert gone out on June 7, 2024, the dreadful shark attack on Lulu could have been prevented. Lulu’s tremendous strength, faith, and bravery throughout her healing journey have inspired many. By passing Lulu’s Law, we would be creating a practical solution to prevent future attacks and keep beachgoers safe.”
Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.
“Last June, the unthinkable happened when Lulu suffered a devastating shark attack,” Britt said. “When Lulu woke up, she said, ‘I made it,’ and since then, she has only continued to prove her resilience. I’m incredibly proud of her faith, her courage, and her strength – she truly personifies both grace and grit.
“Lulu’s Law would empower authorities to quickly and accurately put information in the hands of beachgoers to help keep them out of harm’s way. This is a commonsense measure aimed at keeping families safe – a cause that I know people can rally around, just like her local community, our great state, and the entire nation have rallied around Lulu.”
The proposed legislation would utilize the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). IPAWS currently facilitates alerts for extreme weather, AMBER alerts, and other emergency notifications. Lulu’s Law would expand this system to include timely warnings about shark attacks or dangerous conditions, enhancing safety protocols for coastal communities.
Read the bill here.
