Gov. Rick Scott signs bill sparked by elevator death of Bradenton 12-year-old boy into law

TALLAHASSEE -- Gov. Rick Scott signed the Maxwell Erik "Max" Grablin Act into law Friday, which increases residential elevator safety requirements following the tragic death of a 12-year-old Bradenton boy.

Max Grablin died in January 2015 when he was searching for his pet hamster in the family's home elevator. He had stopped the elevator between floors to get the hamster out, but the door slammed shut. His father, Dr. Patrick Grablin, hit the button to open the door. That made the elevator descend on top of Max, suffocating the child.

Grablin and his wife, Karin Grablin, decided they didn't want other parents to suffer the loss of a child in the same way, so they approached state Sen. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton. He sponsored the legislation to require a sensor in all residential elevators that would keep them from moving if anything was in the shaft. The new law also establishes clearing requirements.

Galvano said he is very pleased to see the bill become law Friday, and that he had just spoken to Patrick Grablin.

"He's pleased, he endured such a tragedy and it doesn't fix that," Galvano said. "But it gives a future meaning, possibly a future benefit to other families."

Karin Grablin said it was a bittersweet victory.

"We wish more than anything that this law had already been in place 16 months ago, as my son was incredibly special to us and to so many in our community," said Grablin. "As hard as it has been to carry on without him, now at least we know that a good

law that carries his name will be in place to help ensure that other families will never have to endure a tragedy like ours. We take some comfort in that and in knowing that Max will live on in our hearts forever."

The law applies only to residential elevators built after July 1, 2016, and is not retroactive. Galvano has previously said he believes the sensors are inexpensive. It passed both the House and the Senate unanimously.

It was one of 17 bills Scott signed into law Friday. The new laws:

Revise provisions relating to insurance agents and increases the allowable amount of coverage for funeral related expenses.

Ratify the Florida Workers' Compensation Health Care Provider Reimbursement Manual.

Clarify that courts have the discretion to issue an order of no contact to a person on pretrial release.

Create a public records exemption that is necessary for the Office of Insurance Regulation to comply with National Association of Insurance Commissioners' accreditation standards.

Revise provisions within the insurance code relating to solvency requirements and regulatory oversight of insurers by the Office of Insurance Regulation.

Allow for substitute service of process at a virtual office, executive office, or mini suite when personal service is not possible.

Revise certain penalties related to stone crab and spiny lobster.

Streamline the local airport protection zoning process.

Make several changes to laws related to housing assistance and housing for the homeless to give local governments greater flexibility.

Revise several provisions of the Florida Drug and Cosmetic Act.

Increase the benefits available to survivors of special risk class members of the Florida Retirement System killed in the line of duty to the full amount of the salary received at the time of death.

Reenacts an existing public records exemption for photographs and video recordings depicting the killing of law enforcement officers.

Encourage the State Board of Administration to notify companies operating in Northern Ireland of its support of the MacBride Principles and removes one of the requirements that trigger the expiration of the prohibition for the SBA to invest in companies with operations in Iran.

Provide for implementation of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

Reenact an existing public records exemption for Florida's seven regional autism centers.

Require the Florida Legislature to convene in regular session on Jan. 9, 2018.

Kate Irby, Herald online/political reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7055. You can follow her on Twitter @KateIrby

This story was originally published April 8, 2016 at 11:45 PM with the headline "Gov. Rick Scott signs bill sparked by elevator death of Bradenton 12-year-old boy into law ."