Bill > S1073

This bill, known as "William's Law," establishes new safety requirements for swimming pools in New Jersey to prevent child drownings, citing alarming statistics from organizations like the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Foundation for Aquatic Injury Prevention. The law defines a "swimming pool" broadly to include any structure at least 18 inches deep and wider than eight feet, encompassing hot tubs, spas, and even home ponds. It mandates that swimming pools must be enclosed by a barrier at least five feet high, with specific requirements for opening sizes to prevent children from passing through, and that the barrier must be at least 20 inches from the water's edge. Gates must open outward, be self-closing and self-latching, and have latches positioned at least 54 inches high or on the pool side of the gate. The bill also provides alternative safety measures if a residence forms part of the barrier, such as a four-foot high fence between the pool and the house, a motorized safety cover meeting American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards, or self-closing and self-latching doors and secured windows for direct access to the pool. Certain bodies of water like sumps, irrigation systems, and agricultural structures are exempt, as are above-ground pools with non-climbable sides at least four feet high and removable ladders. The law allows existing local safety ordinances to remain in effect if they are as strict or stricter than these new provisions, and violations are considered a petty disorderly persons offense, with a grace period for compliance after citation. The Commissioner of Community Affairs will conduct an educational campaign, and the law will take effect on the first day of the fourth month after enactment, with existing pools having a longer compliance period.