Jefferson Reporter

U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) today introduced Lulu’s Law, named in honor of 15-year-old Lulu Gribbin from Mountain Brook, Alabama. The legislation aims to codify shark attacks as events eligible for wireless emergency alerts (WEAs). This measure would encourage authorized local, state, tribal, and federal government authorities to quickly deploy warnings via mobile phone alert messages if a shark attack occurs or if conditions enhancing the possibility of a shark attack are present.

Lulu Gribbin is currently recovering after sustaining nearly fatal injuries from a shark attack in June 2024. Another woman was attacked by a shark just 90 minutes earlier and a few miles away.

“We are eternally grateful that Lulu survived the shark attack on June 7. Lulu is a fighter. We will get through this, and she will adapt to her new lifestyle. However, we remain in disbelief this accident occurred. This was the second attack that day in close proximity, and it could have been prevented with a better alert system. That’s why Lulu’s Law is so important. We’re grateful to Senator Britt for introducing this legislation, and we encourage Congress to pass it for families like ours who just want to keep our children safe,” said Ann Blair and Joe Gribbin, Lulu’s parents.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) manages the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), which sends out local alerts providing authentic emergency information to the public. Other WEA alerts include warnings about extreme weather, amber alerts, wildfires, and more.

“Having two teenagers myself, this hits close to home. I cannot imagine what this journey has been like for Lulu or for her parents,” said Senator Britt. “When Lulu woke up, she said, ‘I made it.’ This brave Alabama girl is resilient—she is a true fighter, personifying both grace and grit. I’m incredibly proud of her faith, her courage, and her strength. 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.”