WashingtonWatch.com - S. 1771, The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act

Comment by Randall Smith (December 18, 2008, 01:00:00)

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

This is, without a doubt, Ione of the WORST bills ever passed in congress. It does not address the real hazard, that being backyard pool and spas. The law should not even apply to large commercial pool of which there is NO RECORDED CASE of drowning by entrapment. Wading pools YES, Hot tubs YES, commercial swimming pools NO. WAKE UP CONGRESS! In the real world, compliance is a waste of time and money. But this is what you are good at, wasting time and money....

Comment by PBY (December 10, 2008, 01:00:00)

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

YOU NEED TO GIVE THE POOL FACILITIES MORE TIME TO COMPLY, DO YOU KNOW HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO PROCURE THE VGB GRATES? THIS IS CREATING A NIGHTMARE FOR ALL PUBLIC POOL FACILTY. PLEASE DO YOUR HOMEWORK....

Revision by webmaster (December 4, 2007, 01:00:00)

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EST

S. 1771 would increase the safety of swimming pools and spas by requiring the use of proper anti-entrapment drain covers and pool and spa drainage systems, to educate the public about pool and spa safety.

Detailed Summary

Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act - (Sec. 4) Requires each swimming pool or spa drain cover manufactured, distributed, or entered into commerce in the United States to conform to specified entrapment protection standards accredited by the American National Standards Institute and published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Considers the standards to be a consumer product safety rule issued by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Requires each public pool and spa (including pools or spas open to members of an organization, residents of a residential complex, patrons of a hotel or other public accommodation, members of the Armed Forces, federal employees, and associated dependents or guests) in the United States to be equipped with devices or systems conforming to such standard. Provides for enforcement under the Consumer Product Safety Act.

(Sec. 5) Establishes a program of grants to states to: (1) hire and train enforcement personnel; and (2) educate pool construction, installation, and service companies, pool owners and operators, and other members of the public. Conditions grants on a state imposing certain requirements by statute, including: (1) enclosure of residential pools and spas to prevent small children from gaining unsupervised access; and (2) drain entrapment prevention devices and systems on all pools and spas. Authorizes appropriations.

(Sec. 6) Specifies minimum state law requirements.

(Sec. 7) Requires the CPSC to establish and carry out a public education program on methods to prevent drowning and entrapment in pools and spas.

(Sec. 8) Requires a CPSC report.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 9/20/2007: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 381.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Revision by webmaster (October 22, 2007, 01:00:00)

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Detailed Summary

Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act - Requires each swimming pool or spa drain cover manufactured, distributed, or entered into commerce in the United States to conform to specified entrapment protection standards accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Considers the standards to be a consumer product safety rule issued by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Establishes a program of grants to states to: (1) hire and train enforcement personnel; and (2) educate pool construction, installation, and service companies, pool owners and operators, and other members of the public. Conditions grants on a state imposing certain requirements by statute, including: (1) enclosure of residential pools and spas to prevent small children from gaining unsupervised access; and (2) drain entrapment prevention devices and systems on all pools and spas.

Requires the CPSC to establish and carry out a public education program on methods to prevent drowning and entrapment in pools and spas.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 9/20/2007: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 381.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Status as of October 4, 2007

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EDT

10/4/2007: House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .

Status as of September 20, 2007

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 00:00:00 EDT

9/20/2007: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 381.

Revision by webmaster (August 29, 2007, 01:00:00)

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Detailed Summary

Requires the CPSC to establish and carry out a public education program on methods to prevent drowning and entrapment in pools and spas.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 7/19/2007: Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Date of scheduled consideration. SR-253. 2:30 p.m.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Status as of July 19, 2007

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 00:00:00 EDT

7/19/2007: Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Date of scheduled consideration. SR-253. 2:30 p.m.

Revision by webmaster (July 17, 2007, 01:00:00)

Tue, 17 Jul 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Detailed Summary

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Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 7/19/2007: Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Date of scheduled consideration. SR-253. 2:30 p.m.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Revision by webmaster (July 12, 2007, 01:00:00)

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Detailed Summary

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Status of the Legislation

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Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Revision by webmaster (July 12, 2007, 01:00:00)

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Detailed Summary

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Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 7/11/2007: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Status as of July 11, 2007

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 00:00:00 EDT

7/11/2007: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.