Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com

Published - Saturday, May 17, 2008

'Abigail Taylor' pool safety bill becomes law

ST. PAUL (AP) — The Abigail Taylor pool safety bill is now law in Minnesota.

The proposal is named for the 6-year-old girl who suffered an ultimately fatal injury after sitting on a drain at a country club wading pool. Its powerful suction ripped out part of her intestinal tract.

The Legislature passed the bill unanimously, and Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed it. The measure piggybacks on a new federal law inspired by Taylor's case.

The bill requires daily physical inspections of drain covers and grates in all but residential pools. And beginning with the most shallow pools, it calls for mandatory drainage systems designed to prevent suction from blockage.

Operators of pools that lack redundant suction outlets will have to put them in.

The new safety standards apply to pools at health clubs, parks, apartment buildings and hotels.

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