OHA walks back its rule about kids at municipal pools

PORTLAND – The Oregon Health Authority has decided to revisit the new rule requiring children younger than 14 be accompanied by an adult at general-use public swimming pools during open swim periods. The agency says it is now recommending that practice rather than requiring the age limit this season.

Pendleton Parks and Recreation Director Liam Hughes was not going to enforce the rule this summer. He said the rule carried the exception that the rule would not go into effect until signage to indicate it was posted. No signage update was planned before the Pendleton Family Aquatic Center opened in early June.

OHA says it is adopting a temporary rule that reflects OHA’s recommendation. Meanwhile, the agency will start a process this fall that seeks input from parents, caregivers, pool personnel, and other interested parties to help decide whether the rule should be made permanent or if a different one should be adopted.

Outcry from the public appears to have forced OHA to take a deeper dive into the rulemaking.

“After hearing from parents and caregivers of older elementary and early middle school-age children, the Food, Pool, and Lodging Health and Safety Program is proposing additional discussion with the community and regulated partners to gather more input, ensure equitable access to public pools, and continue to keep kids safe,” OHA Manager of Environmental Public Health Gabriela Goldfarb said.

Those interested in participating in a workgroup for this issue in the fall can email pool.safety@oha.oregon.gov to be considered. Hughes, who would prefer to ensure that all children in Oregon receive swimming lessons, said he would like to participate in those discussions as well as some of the other pool rules that he believes will end up costing rural areas more money and create unnecessary pool closures.

The story in which Hughes discusses the rules is at Hughes sounds off about Oregon Health Authority pool regulations – Elkhorn Media Group.

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Elkhorn Media Group