S. 1771 was squeezed into a comprehensive energy bill (H.R. 6) and approved in an 86 to 8 vote on Dec 13.

“Each year, thousands of individuals drown and thousands more require hospital treatment due to submersion injuries,” said Senator Stevens. “This legislation is designed to lessen the likelihood that anyone, particularly a child, will drown by becoming trapped by a pool or spa drain.”

The legislation will create a grant program to encourage states to pass comprehensive pool and spa safety legislation. The program will be funded at $2 million per year for fiscal years 2009 and 2010. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) would administer the grants, and set minimum qualification standards. This measure would also authorize $5 million per year from 2008 through 2012 for the CPSC to engage in a nationwide education campaign on methods to prevent drowning and entrapment in pools and spas.

U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation

Great News! Minimum "federal" standards for pool and spa safety are critically important to help reduce related infant and child deaths.

H. R. 1721 (Placed-on-Calendar-Senate)
Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act
Title: To increase the safety of swimming pools and spas by requiring the use of proper anti-entrapment drain covers and pool and spa drainage systems, by establishing a swimming pool safety grant program administered by the Consumer Product Safety Commission to encourage States to improve their pool and spa safety laws and to educate the public about pool and spa safety, and for other purposes.

Senate bill S. 1771 contains some differences that will require resolution, primarily as they relate to the requirements that are imposed if the wall of a dwelling is part of the protective barrier around the pool.

The APSP will actively seek resolution of the issue as the bills are reconciled.