California Safety Bill Passes Next Hurdle

If passed, the new legislation would up the ante on pool and spa safety devices

A safety bill that had originally given the industry pause is one step closer to being passed. The legislation, AB 470, now has support from the California Pool & Spa Association. Meant to increase the number of safety devices required on new and significantly renovated pools from one to two, the bill has passed its first house. Bills in the state had to reach this point by the end of July or be considered dead. If passed, the legislation also will mandate that residential pools be inspected before a home is sold to ensure it meets safety codes. CPSA lobbied for the removal of certain clauses that it felt could lay the groundwork for unreasonable regulations in the future. With those sections gone, the organization now supports the bill. It has until Aug. 30 to pass.

About the Author

Rebecca Robledo

Rebecca Robledo is deputy editor of Pool & Spa News and Aquatics International. She is an award-winning trade journalist with more than 25 years experience reporting on and editing content for the pool, spa and aquatics industries. She specializes in technical, complex or detail-oriented subject matter with an emphasis in design and construction, as well as legal and regulatory issues. For this coverage and editing, she has received numerous awards, including four Jesse H. Neal Awards, considered by many to be the “Pulitzer Prize of Trade Journalism.”