Emmerson's bill to ensure children's safety signed

A bill co-authored by Assemblyman Bill Emmerson that would ensure that public swimming pools and spas have anti-entrapment drain covers was signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Sunday.

"Now that this bill has become law, our children will be safer swimming in our public pools and spas," Emmerson said. 

"Currently, many of our public swimming pools lack the proper safety equipment necessary to protect our children. 

"This new law makes great strides in reducing the risk of drowning by increasing the safety standards for every public swimming pool and spa throughout California."
 
There were 74 incidents of circulation entrapment reported to the Consumer Product Safety Commission between 1999 and 2007, including nine fatalities and 63 injuries, in which 54 of these incidents involved children under the age of 15, according to a news release from Emmerson's office. 

Circulation entrapment occurs when a person becomes attached to a drain due to the suction of the water circulation system of a pool or spa, or when a limb is inserted into a drain with a broken or missing cover.
 
The bill seeks to bring California into compliance with federal law, which is necessary to allow local health officials to properly enforce these new safety standards.

Emmerson is a Republican who represents the 63rd District, which includes Rancho Cucamonga, Upland and part of north Fontana.