BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1020
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Date of Hearing: May 28, 2009
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Kevin De Leon, Chair
AB 1020 (Emmerson) - As Amended: May 20, 2009
Policy Committee: Health Vote:19-0
Urgency: Yes State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill conforms safety standards for public pools to the
Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, a federal law
which requires public pools and spas to have specified
anti-entrapment devices installed. This bill requires the
California Department of Public Health (DPH) and local health
officers (LHO) to provide oversight and enforcement of federal
and state law requirements addressed in this bill.
FISCAL EFFECT
1)One-time GF costs of $400,000 over 2009-10 and 2010-11 to DPH
to establish standardization and forms to provide evidence of
compliance with requirements established by this bill. In
addition DPH workload will require technical assistance with a
variety of local government, public safety, community, and
pool industry groups. Actual costs may be less to the extent
public pools already include the safety device requirements
established by this bill.
2)Unknown costs to LHO for local enforcements efforts.
COMMENTS
1)Rationale . This bill is sponsored by DPH to increase public
pool safety in California by requiring pools to have
anti-entrapment devices to prevent drowning. According to
national data, drowning is a leading cause of death of youth
up to age 14.
2)Pool entrapment occurs when the water circulation system of a
pool or spa creates suction and a limb or piece of clothing is
AB 1020
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caught and an individual is unable to break free. Under
current law, only wading pools, new pools, or pools under
renovation are required to meet higher safety standards.
According to the author and sponsor, this bill increases
standardization at the state and local level to provide
authority to increase safety compliance. Under current law,
pool safety enforcement is not consistent statewide. This bill
adopts new safety standards and authorizes local agencies to
enforce the standards.
Analysis Prepared by : Mary Ader / APPR. / (916) 319-2081