CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The House passed an amendment on Tuesday that would allow the state to regulate the U.S. National Whitewater Center’s water attractions.

The amendment reads, “No public swimming pool or water recreation attraction may be opened for use unless the owner or operator has obtained an operation permit issued.”

The amendment requires “artificial whitewater river facilities using recirculating water to test for physical, biological, or chemical substances in the water that may adversely affect the health or safety of facility patrons, as may be deemed necessary by the Commission.”

The bill will now go to the Senate.

This push comes after an Ohio teen who recently visited the U.S. National Whitewater Center died from an Amoebic infection.

The cause of death for 18-year-old Lauren Seitz was attributed to Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis, an infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, a one-celled organism that does not cause illness if swallowed, but can be fatal if forced up the nose.



Seitz was allegedly in Charlotte on a church choir trip. The group visited the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Officials say the only time Seitz was underwater recently was believed to be when she was riding in a raft with several others that overturned at the Whitewater Center.

READ A STATEMENT FROM THE U.S. NATIONAL WHITEWATER CENTER HERE.

READ LAUREN SEITZ’S OBITUARY HERE.

AMOEBIC INFECTIONS: WHAT TO KNOW