#Kindness for Christopher inspires new law

Gov. Chris Christie signed a bill Tuesday that hopes to prevent future tragedies like the one experienced last year by the D'Amico family of Mount Arlington.

State Sen. Anthony R. Bucco (R-25) sponsored the “Christopher’s Law” legislation to increase awareness of the dangers of operating pontoon boats in New Jersey waterways. The bill was named in honor of 10-year-old Christopher D’Amico of Mount Arlington, who was killed in a pontoon boating accident on Lake Hopatcong on June 24.

"We are very excited the governor signed this into law," said Christopher's father, Chris D'Amico, "It's nice when you have a story with a happy ending once in a while."

His son died from injuries sustained when he fell off the front of a rented pontoon boat and was  hit in the head.

Under Christopher’s Law (S-3233), pontoon renters must complete pre-rental safety instruction before setting sail. It also requires the owner of a pontoon rental business to alert customers to the dangers of operating the water vessel, by posting a large metallic sign that reads “Warning: Rotating propellers can cause serious injury or death.” The sign must be prominently placed at the entrance to the rental business.

"Less than a year ago, our community suffered a heartbreaking loss, and yet out of that tragedy has emerged a legacy that includes Christopher’s Law," Bucco said. “I am proud to have sponsored this common-sense legislation that ensures all pontoon renters are aware of these dangers and receive the essential instruction they need to safely enjoy New Jersey’s beautiful lakes and waterways.”

D'Amico said he received word of the passage Tuesday from Assemblyman Anthony M. Bucco, who co-sponsored the bill in the Assembly.

"Sounds like a simple thing, but this is definitely going to save some lives," the assemblyman said. "This will help educate people. If you go off the front of a pontoon boat, and don't have the wherewithal to dive down deep, that's a tragedy. It's great to go out and have fun, but you have to be careful."

Since the accident, the D'Amico family and its many supporters have worked to transform that unimaginable loss into a call for random acts of kindness on the 24th of every month that quickly captured hearts around the world.

"We didn't want the 24th of every month of every month to be a sad occasion," Chris D'Amico said, "It's about taking this awful negative and turning it into a positive, and essentially making a legacy for my son."

The #KindnessforChristopher movement includes a "Kindness for Christopher" Facebook page with more than 10,400 followers.

The movement, which has included fundraisers and other public events to support a variety of charitable causes, inspired the Buccos to sponsor the legislation. So did a meeting between D'Amico and Bucco shortly after the accident.

The bill was one of many Christie signed into law Tuesday, along with many others he vetoed or left unsigned, rendering them as pocket vetoes after the noon deadline.

"Trenton at times can be very frustrating, but to have a lifesaving bill like this go through both houses unanimously is gratifying," Assemblyman Bucco said.

“Whether you are the boat’s driver or a passenger, you need to be prepared,” said the bill's Assembly co-sponsor, Gail Phoebus (R-24). “Educating boaters about how to respond to an accident will save lives and prevent fun, family outings from turning into tragedy as it did for the D’Amicos."

“Christopher’s family turned a horrific situation into something positive by donating his organs and saving the lives of eight other children,” said another Assembly co-sponsor, Nancy F. Muñoz (R-21). “But that wasn’t enough. They want to honor his memory by preventing similar accidents. I hope his family finds solace in knowing this bill will go a long way in accomplishing that.”

“I am incredibly grateful to Christopher’s family for their invaluable input and unwavering support of this lifesaving bill,” Sen. Bucco said. “It has been an honor to watch the #KindnessforChristopher movement take flight, as we worked together to ensure his legacy of compassion and courage is never forgotten.”

"This is the first step in ensuring what happened to our son never happens to anyone again," Chris D'Amico said.

Staff Writer William Westhoven: 973-917-9242; wwesthoven@gannettnj.com