A Florida state lawmaker says he has been inspired to introduce legislation to improve pool safety standards at short-term rental homes statewide after watching a Scripps News investigation that examined drowning deaths in Florida and other parts of the country.

“Because of the fact that we have so many swimming pools and so many child drownings that were preventable, we also have a responsibility to be leading on drowning prevention and on swim safety,” said Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, a Democrat who represents a Florida district that includes vast portions of Orlando, a vacation hotspot.

Smith said safety at short-term rental homes has become a priority “after we saw some of [Scripps News’] investigative reporting on how these short-term rentals are now becoming a place where these

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