PHTA Encourages Support of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Reauthorization Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 26, 2022

Media Contact:
Amy Willer
Associate Director, Marketing and Communications
703-838-0083 x 121 | awiller@phta.org

PHTA Encourages Support of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Reauthorization Act

(Alexandria, Va.) – PHTA announces the support of the VGB Pool & Spa Safety Reauthorization Act of 2022, which was introduced in the US. Senate and House of Representatives this week. S. 4296 and H.R. 7787 seek to reauthorize and update 2008 legislation requiring every public pool in the US to install safe drain covers that prevent suction entrapment. The act allocates funding for grants that can be used for swim lessons, enforcing pool and spa safety laws, as well as educating communities about drowning and entrapment dangers. The legislation also expands program eligibility to non-profit organizations and Indian Tribes. If passed, the law would authorize $5 million per year from 2022 to 2027 for use in locations that have enacted a qualifying minimum swimming pool and spa safety laws such as the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code and ANSI/APSP/ICC-16 American National Standard for Suction Outlet Fitting Assemblies.

U.S. Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23), John Carter (TX-31), Colin Allred (TX-32), and Michael Burgess (TX-26) and Senators Amy Klobuchar (MN) and Roy Blunt (MO) introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety (VGB) Reauthorization Act (H.R.7877 / S.4296) to help decrease drownings in pools and spas.

“PHTA has always been a vocal leader in advocating for safe aquatic environments—they are absolutely critical to industry.” said Sabeena Hickman, PHTA president and CEO. “Not only does this legislation reiterate the requirement for safe and compliant drain covers, it incentivizes state, local, and Tribal jurisdictions to implement and enforce swimming pool and spa safety standards which has been proven to save lives.”  

PHTA encourages members and industry advocates to support the reauthorization through social media using #PassVGB and #CurbDrownings and by contacting their representative with your support of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Reauthorization Act.

PHTA-16 and VGBA
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) announced recently that it is currently developing PHTA-16.  There is a call for participation to serve on the PHTA-16 Standard Writing Committee (SWC), to revise the ANSI/APSP/ICC-16 2017 American National Standard for Suction Outlet Fitting Assemblies (SOFA) for Use in Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs, the Drain Cover Standard referenced in the VGBA and designated as the successor standard by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). After approval by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the revised standard will be submitted to the CPSC.

PHTA joins VGBA reauthorization supporters to help prevent drownings and near-drownings in pools and spas by increasing the layers of protection, extending grant program eligibility, and providing funds for education about drowning and entrapment dangers, as well as ensuring that the infrastructure and resources reflect the seriousness of this public health issue.

For more information, contact PHTA Vice President, Government Relations, Standards & Codes, Justin Wiley, jwiley@phta.org.

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About the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance 
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), a non-profit organization with over 3,600 members from around the world, was established in 1956 to support, promote, and protect the common interests of the $36.5B pool, hot tub and spa industry. PHTA provides education, advocacy, standards development, research, and market growth to increase our members’ professionalism, knowledge and profitability. Additionally, PHTA facilitates the expansion of swimming, water safety and related research and outreach activities aimed at introducing more people to swimming, making swimming environments safer and keeping pools open to serve communities. For more information, visit www.phta.org.