By Tom McClimon
November 12, 2007

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation has passed the Pool and Spa Safety Act (S. 1771) to prevent drowning and entrapment deaths and injuries in swimming pools and spas. The legislation specifically requires all manufacturers of pool and spa drains to produce and distribute anti-entrapment drain covers that comply with national standards.

The legislation would create a grant program to encourage states to pass comprehensive pool and spa safety legislation. The program would be funded at $2 million per year for the next two years. The measure would also authorize $5 million per year from 2008 through 2012 for the Consumer Product Safety Commission to engage in a nationwide education campaign on methods to prevent drowning and entrapment in pools and spas.

The National Recreation and Park Association and others have expressed some reservations about the bill and its impact on city governments. One of their recommendations is to provide for a phase-in period of three years to install anti-entrapment equipment. This would allow public park and recreation agencies time to assess their facilities, determine the most appropriate system or device, develop and submit budget requests for approval and physically retrofit each pool or spa.

The House of Representatives has passed a similar measure (H.R. 1721). A date for final Senate action is yet to be determined.