Bill aims to prevent shock deaths at Lake of the Ozarks

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A bill designed to prevent electrocution-related deaths at the Lake of the Ozarks again has been introduced in the state legislature.

KOLR-TV reported state Rep. Caleb Jones of Columbia is sponsoring a bill that would require all docks to have a ground0fault interrupter, a device that shuts off the dock's electricity when a short-circuit occurs.

The bill also would require defibrillators on Misouri State Highway Patrol boats.

"I don't think this addresses all the problems that we're facing in this area, but I think this piece of legislation is certainly a good step forward," Jones said.

"I look forward to continuing to discuss the issues, and if more legislation needs to be filed and passed to fix this, I plan on doing it," he added

The bill is dedicated to 13-year-old Alexandra Anderson and her 8-year-old brother Brayden, both of whom died in 2012 after being electrocuted by power running to a dock they were swimming near on the Lake of the Ozarks.

Jones said he's talked to leadership about moving this legislation this year. Last year's bill did not receive a committee hearing.

"I think everybody wants to make sure that this doesn't ever happen again and have been very open and willing to try and move legislation forward," Jones said. "I think that it's going to get a lot of traction this year, and I really think it's going to pass."