Swimming Pool Safety Bill Approved By Assembly Housing Committee

Assemblymember Gene Mullin’s (D-South San Francisco) Assembly Bill 2977, which would require swimming pool and spa remodels to include updated safety features was approved by the Assembly Housing Committee today.

The measure, sponsored by the California Coalition for Children’s Safety and Health and Safe Kids California, attempts to prevent toddlers from being entrapped in pool and spa drains by requiring when a construction permit is issued to remodel an existing pool or spa that an anti-entrapment drain cover and two of a list of seven safety features also be installed.

Drowning is the leading cause of death for toddlers ages 1 through 4; over 50 children drown each year. For every fatality, there are four more near-deaths, many of which leave children with lifelong disabilities. Hair and body entrapment in pool and spa drains extends to people of all ages, again causing serious injury among some and death to others.

“Swimming pools should be happy and safe places” stated Mullin, the committee chair, “This measure adds to a list of safety features the state has required over the past decade which are proving to save lives and prevent injury.”

The measure will next be heard by the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

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