In one week, a new state law that grew out of a tragic accident on Lake Hamilton two years ago goes into effect, raising the minimum age that a person can operate a personal watercraft alone from 14 to 16.

Act 693, known as Rachel’s Bill, is in memory of Rachel Rutherford, a 15-year-old Little Rock girl who died March 29, 2007, as the result of injuries she sustained in a jet ski accident on Lake Hamilton.

Part of the law takes effect July 10, raising the minimum age to operate a personal watercraft alone to 16. Personal watercraft, according to the Arkansas Game and Fi...

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