Senate Passes Safe Swimming Pools Bill

Senator Bill Larkin (R-C, Cornwall-on-Hudson) today announced the New York State Senate has passed legislation he supported (S.1092) to make neighborhood swimming pools safer.

The bill would require temporary fences around swimming pools to be replaced with permanent fencing within 90 days. Homeowners can obtain waivers for an extension beyond the 90 days if they can show good cause. Another stipulation of the bill requires installers to notify the local building department if a building permit has not been issued at the address of the property where the pool is to be located.

"Too many children lose their lives each year from drowning accidents right in their own back yards or right in their own neighborhoods," said Senator Larkin. "Many of these tragedies could be avoided if permanent fencing is installed around pools. We have also found that too often municipalities are never notified of an inground pool being installed, and because of this, they go uninspected. Perhaps homeowners are not fully aware of their legal responsibilities when it comes to installing a pool on their property. But the fact is that taking these steps can save lives."

The bill was sent to the Assembly.