Local Government panel reopens hearing on HB 1684 to update aquatic facility rules; health agencies support, industry stakeholders oppose

The Washington State House Local Government Committee reopened a public hearing on House Bill 1684 to consider updates to state law that create the category “aquatic facilities,” extend safety and health standards to therapy pools, and give the State Board of Health authority to adopt rules affecting certain residential pools rented to nonresidents.

The bill’s supporters, including witnesses from the Washington State Department of Health and the Washington State Board of Health, said the measure updates an out-of-date statute and aligns state practice with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s model aquatic health code. “This bill updates our state statute with federal guidance via the model aquatic code from the CDC,” Joe Laxon, policy director for environmental health at the Washington Department of Health, told the committee. Laxon said the agency requests the bill and that it reflects a compromise reached after community workshops.

The Board of Health’s executive director, Michelle Davis, told the committee HB 1684 would reduce drowning risk by adopting best practices for aquatic venues. “Drowning is the leading cause nationwide among children ages 1 to 4,” Davis said. She said the bill would extend minimum health and safety requirements to therapy pools and allow the board to adopt targeted rules for…