WASHINGTON – To honor 16-year-old Lulu Gribbin, who was injured in a shark attack last year, a couple of Alabama lawmakers introduced Lulu’s Law intended to prevent future shark attacks.
U.S. Sen. Katie Britt and Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Birmingham, introduced the legislation, which would direct authorities to issue wireless emergency alerts to the public if a shark attack occurs.
Gribbin, a Mountain Brook teen, suffered near-fatal injuries from a shark attack in June 2024. Gribbin lost her left hand and part of her right leg in the shark attack.
Only 90 minutes before she was attacked, another woman was also attacked by a shark a few miles away.
“When Lulu woke up from surgery that day and got taken off of her ventilator, her very first words were, ‘I made it,’” Britt said on the Senate floor. “That has become a mantra, not just in how she remerged, but in the way she has pushed forward.”
16-year-old Lulu Gribbin survived a shark attack that could have been prevented. Her bravery inspired Lulu’s Law, which I’ve reintroduced today. It’s a commonsense bill that can make a life-saving impact. pic.twitter.com/aBTOUN5r8h
— Senator Katie Boyd Britt (@SenKatieBritt) March 12, 2025
The Federal Emergency Management Agency manages the alert system and sends out local alerts, such as extreme weather and Amber Alerts. This bill would add shark attacks to that list.
“Lulu’s tremendous strength, faith and bravery throughout her healing journey has inspired many,” Palmer said in a statement. “By passing Lulu’s Law, we would be creating a practical solution to prevent future attacks from occurring and keeping beachgoers safe.”
The legislation has bipartisan support. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., is a co-sponsor of the Senate bill. Britt and Palmer also introduced Lulu’s Law last year, but the bill did not advance.
“…when we’re given the opportunity to do something simple that can make such a big difference, I believe we have to take it,” Britt said.