October 25, 2006

Contact
Maureen Williams
800-716-0888, ext. 292
mwilliams@ddtechusa.com

Fencing Industry Action Needed to Promote Passage of National Pool Fencing Legislation

Even though Congress adjourned without finalizing national pool barrier legislation, there is an excellent change that the Senate version of the Pool & Spa Safety Act, introduced by Senator George Allen of Virginia, will be passed during the "lame duck session" after the November elections.

Similar legislation, which would provide grants to states that mandate isolation fences and other swimming pool safety measures, is being considered in both houses of Congress, but Senator Allen's bill moved further along in the process during the last session. The respective bills are each entitled the "Pool & Spa Safety Act." Passage of these bills could have a major impact on the fencing industry, as there are nearly 200,000 new pools installed each year, potentially translating to the sale of millions of feet of pool fencing.

House bill H.R. 5850, introduced by Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) on July 20, stipulates that subsequent state legislation must mandate isolation fencing around pools, along with entrapment prevention. After undergoing numerous revisions, the Senate bill is now fairly similar to the House bill.

If passed, both bills should be very effective in promoting measures that will save children's lives through the prevention of pool drowning and entrapment. Each bill calls for grants to be made available to states that enact pool barrier and anti-entrapment legislation. These grants would be administered by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

D&D Technologies, founding sponsor of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA), is collaborating with groups such as Safe Kids Worldwide to promote passage of these bills. D&D public relations manager Maureen Williams is chair of the NDPA's Policy & Code Committee. This committee has encouraged numerous individuals and organizations to write letters in support of these bills.

Members of the fencing industry can help to move this legislation forward by writing letters and encouraging colleagues, organizations, friends and family to write letters to their own state's legislators prior to November 13, urging their legislators to co-sponsor the House bill, H.R. 5850, and expressing appreciation and support to those who've already signed on as co-sponsors. With sufficient co-sponsors, the House bill can go right to the floor for a vote, bypassing the need for hearings. As of October 3, there were 16 co-sponsors out of the 435 members of Congress.

Letters should also be written to your state's Senators, urging support of S.3718. Although both houses have adjourned until after the elections, there is still an opportunity for either Pool & Spa Safety Act to be voted on during the three week "lame duck" session of Congress which will begin on November 13. If this does not occur, many steps in the process may need to begin again, due to turnover on the committees. The entire House is up for re-election, and one third of the Senate.

For a list of co-sponsors or to read the initial House or Senate versions of the bill (versions with the latest changes may not be posted), go to http://thomas.loc.gov/ (no www), click Bill Number and type in S.3718 or H.R.5850. Click on Bill Summary & Status to get a list of current co-sponsors.

For further information on ways you can get involved, contact Maureen Williams at mwilliams@ddtechusa.com or at (800) 716-0888, ext. 292.

Helpful Links

Here's a link to find your Representative:
Contact your Rep

Here's a link to find your Senator:
Contact your Senator

Tips on how to write to your congressman.
Writing Congress Effective Letters to congress
The Right to Write by Morris K. Udall

House Bill:
H.5850

Senate Bill:
S.3718

NDPA
Safe Kids