Swimming pool safety.

(1) The Swimming Pool Safety Act generally requires, whenever a building permit is issued for the construction of a new swimming pool or spa, the pool or spa to be equipped with specified safety features, including that the swimming pool or spa have at least 2 circulation drains per pump that are hydraulically balanced, and symmetrically plumbed through one or more "T" fittings, and that are separated by a distance of at least 3 feet in any dimension between the drains. Existing law also requires a public wading pool to have at least 2 circulation drains per pump, as specified, that are separated by a distance of at least 3 feet in any dimension between the drains. This bill would instead require a swimming pool, spa, or public wading pool that is subject to the above safety provisions to have at least 2 circulation suction outlets, as defined, per pump, and be separated by a distance of at least 3 feet in any dimension between the suction outlets, or be designed to use alternatives to suction outlets, including, but not limited to, skimmers or perimeter overflow systems to conduct water to the recirculation pump. The bill would also require the circulation system to have the capacity to provide a complete turnover of pool water, as specified. (2) Existing law requires a building permit issued for the remodel or modification of an existing swimming pool, toddler pool, or spa to require the suction outlet of the pool or spa to be upgraded with an antientrapment cover meeting ASTM or ASME standards. This bill would instead require those building permits to require all outlets for a swimming pool, toddler pool, or spa to be upgraded with an antientrapment cover meeting ANSI/APSP performance standards, as defined. (3) Existing law requires public swimming pools, as defined, to be equipped with antientrapment devices or systems that meet ASME/ANSI or ASTM performance standards, as defined. Existing law further requires every public swimming pool with a single main drain that is not an unblockable drain to be equipped with at least one or more safety devices designed to prevent physical entrapment by pool drains. Existing law also requires public wading pool main drain suction outlets to be covered with grates, antivortex plates, or similar protective devices, as specified. This bill would instead require every public swimming pool with a single suction outlet, as defined, that is not an unblockable suction outlet to be equipped with at least one or more safety devices that meet ANSI/APSP performance standards. The bill would also require all public wading pool suction outlets to be covered with grates, antivortex plates, or similar protective devices, as specified. The bill would additionally require a public swimming pool that has a suction outlet in any location other than on the bottom of the pool to be designed so that the recirculation system has a capacity to provide a complete turnover of pool water within prescribed times based on the pool type, as specified. (4) Existing law requires the State Department of Public Health to issue a form for use by an owner of a public swimming pool to indicate compliance with specified safety provisions. Under existing law, the form is required to be completed by the owner of a public swimming pool prior to filing the form with the appropriate city, county, or city and county department of environmental health, and is required to include specified information. This information includes a statement of whether the pool operates with a single or split main drain. This bill would require that form to instead include a statement of whether the pool operates with a single suction outlet or multiple suction outlets. The bill would make other related changes. By imposing new duties on local government officials, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. Under existing law, violation of these swimming pool safety requirements constitutes a misdemeanor. This bill, by expanding the definition of an existing crime, would impose a state-mandated local program. (5) This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 116064 of the Health and Safety Code proposed by SB 1099, that would become operative only if SB 1099 and this bill are both enacted, both bills become effective on or before January 1, 2012 and this bill is enacted last. (6) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for specified reasons.