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Governor Kay Ivey on Tuesday signed House Bill 437, known as “Lulu’s Law,” into law, establishing a shark alert system for Alabama’s coastal counties of Baldwin and Mobile. The legislation, inspired by 16-year-old shark attack survivor Lulu Gribbin, aims to enhance beach safety by notifying the public of nearby shark attacks.
“Alabama is proud to have the safest and most beautiful beaches in the world,” Governor Ivey said in a statement. “The added tool of having a shark alert system will help officials in Baldwin and Mobile counties keep our beachgoers safe and enjoying the refreshing waters of our Gulf of America. It was an honor to have Lulu Gribbin with me as I signed this bill into law.”
The alert system, managed by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, will send notifications to mobile devices and first responders when a confirmed unprovoked shark attack occurs near the shoreline. The system is modeled after Amber Alerts, designed to provide real-time information to beachgoers and emergency personnel.
Lulu Gribbin, the bill’s namesake, was attacked by a shark in June 2024 while swimming off the Florida Panhandle. She lost her left hand and part of her right leg. In the months following her recovery, Gribbin advocated for legislation that could prevent similar incidents, saying an alert system could have warned her and others before entering the water.
The original bill included alerts for shark sightings, but concerns about over-alerting and potential harm to local tourism prompted lawmakers to revise it. The final version limits alerts to confirmed unprovoked shark attacks, aiming to strike a balance between public safety and economic considerations.
The law will take effect on Oct. 1. The ADCNR will develop and implement alert protocols in coordination with emergency management agencies in Baldwin and Mobile counties.
Lulu Gribbin’s story and advocacy have drawn national attention. With more than 260,000 followers tracking her recovery on social media, her efforts continue to inspire initiatives to improve beach safety not only in Alabama but potentially in other coastal states as well.
