Pool and Spa Safety Act

Bill: 109-s-3718
Sponsor: Sen. Allen, George [R-VA]
Introduced: 2006-07-24 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Accident prevention
Administrative procedure
Child safety
Congressional reporting requirements
Consumer Product Safety Commission
Drainage
Economics and Public Finance
Emergency Management
Employee training
Families
Government Operations and Politics
Government publications
Government publicity
Grants-in-aid
Independent regulatory commissions
Labor and Employment
Law
Local employees
Product safety
Public service advertising
Recruiting of employees
Safety measures
Standards
State employees
State laws
Swimming pools

Summary:
action_date: 2006-07-24
text: 
Pool and Spa Safety Act - Establishes swimming pool and spa safety requirements. Authorizes state and local governments to enforce such requirements. Subjects violators to the same penalties that would apply for violations of related state and local laws. 
 
Requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to establish recommended minimum state law standards for swimming pools and spas with respect to: (1) enclosure of the pool or spa by barriers to entry that will prevent small children from gaining unsupervised and unfettered access; and (2) systems designed to prevent entrapment of children by drains.
 
Directs CPSC to require that: (1) any outdoor swimming pool or spa is enclosed by an appropriate fence or other barrier; and (2) any swimming pool or spa with a main drain is equipped with at least one anti-entrapment device. Directs CPSC to require, at a minimum, one or more of the following: a safety vacuum release system; a suction-limiting vent system; a gravity drainage system; an automatic pump shut-off system; or a device or system that disables the drain.
 
Requires the CPSC to establish: (1) a state swimming pool safety grant program to provide assistance to states in hiring and training state and local government employees in implementing and enforcing state swimming pool standards, educating the public, and administering safety programs; and (2) an education program to inform the public of methods to prevent drownings and entrapment in swimming pools and spas.

action_date: 2006-12-06
text: 
Pool and Spa Safety Act - (Sec. 3) Requires each swimming pool or spa drain cover manufactured, distributed, or entered into commerce in the United States to conform to specified ASME/ANSI entrapment protection standards. Considers that requirement to be a consumer product safety rule issued by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) under certain provisions of the Consumer Product Safety Act.
 
(Sec. 4) 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.
 
(Sec. 6) Requires the CPSC to establish and carry out a public education program on methods to prevent drowning and entrapment in pools and spas. Authorizes appropriations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-12-09
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2006-12-09
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 191 - 108 (Roll no. 542). (text: CR 12/8/2006 H9200-9202)
action_date: 2006-12-09
text: Failed of passage/not agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 191 - 108 (Roll no. 542).(text: CR 12/8/2006 H9200-9202)
action_date: 2006-12-09
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR 12/8/2006 H9302-9303)
action_date: 2006-12-09
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2006-12-09
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 3718.
action_date: 2006-12-09
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR 12/8/2006 H9200-9202)
action_date: 2006-12-09
text: Mr. Barton (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2006-12-07
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2006-12-07
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2006-12-07
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2006-12-06
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR 12/7/2006 S11383-11384; text as passed Senate: CR 12/7/2006 S11383-11384)
action_date: 2006-12-06
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR 12/7/2006 S11383-11384; text as passed Senate: CR 12/7/2006 S11383-11384)
action_date: 2006-09-29
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 654.
action_date: 2006-09-29
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Stevens with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 109-357.
action_date: 2006-09-29
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Stevens with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 109-357.
action_date: 2006-09-27
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2006-07-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2006-07-24
text: Introduced in Senate