WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Senate today passed the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (S. 1771) to prevent drowning and entrapment deaths and injuries in swimming pools and spas. The legislation was included as part of a comprehensive energy bill (H.R. 6) that was approved by a vote of 86 to 8.  The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, sponsored by Committee Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Senator Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), was approved earlier this year by the Senate Commerce Committee. The measure specifically requires all manufacturers of pool and spa drains to produce and distribute only anti-entrapment drain covers that comply with the current national performance standard.  H.R. 6 now proceeds to the House of Representatives for consideration.

 

 

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. The provision will also require that all public pools retrofit their drain covers to meet anti-entrapment standards.