IMPORTANT DATES RELATED TO THE ABIGAIL TAYLOR POOL SAFETY ACT
January 1, 2008: Swim ponds in existence prior to this date are not considered public pools and are therefore exempt from Minnesota Rules, chapter 4717. However, they must still certify to the commissioner annually (and by July 1, 2008) that drain covers (except for unblockable drains) have been stamped by the manufacturer that they are in compliance with ASME/ANSI standards and that all covers, grates and mounting rings have
been inspected to ensure they have been properly installed and are not broken or loose. AND they must meet the requirements for dual drains, gravity systems or unblockable drains.
May 17, 2008: Pool operators are required to conduct daily (or every day the pool is open for use) physical inspections of the drain covers/grates. These physical inspections must be documented on the pool log. If the cover is loose, broken, or missing, the pool must be closed immediately.
May 17, 2008: All public pools in Minnesota are subject to licensure and inspection.
June 1, 2008: All drain covers and grates must be installed with screws that meet the manufacturer’s specifications.
July 1, 2008: And annually thereafter, all public pools owners must certify to the commissioner that all outlets, except for unblockable drains, are equipped with covers that have been stamped by the manufacturer that they are in compliance with ASME/ANSI standards, AND that all covers, grates and mounting rings have been inspected to ensure they have been properly installed and are not broken or loose. This includes owners of swim ponds. Owners who do not submit the survey will not be issued a renewal license until the information is submitted.
January 1, 2009: All pool construction plans submitted for review must be certified by an engineer registered in the state of Minnesota.
January 1, 2009: All pools constructed after this date: each pump must be connected to at least two suction outlets, connected in parallel with suction cover outlets that meet current ASME/ANSI standards (unless the pool is constructed with a gravity outlet or drain).
January 1, 2009: All pools four feet deep and less must have an unblockable drain, OR at least two suction outlets, connected in parallel with covers that meet current ASME/ANSI standards, OR have a gravity outlet/drain.
January 2, 2009: Pools four feet deep or less that have not made the necessary modifications will be subject to closure.
January 15, 2009: By this date, MDH must report to the Legislature: the number of licensed pools in the state, the type of ownership of licensed pools, the type of drains in licensed pools, the number of pools that require modification to meet the act, the estimated economic impact and costs of meeting the act.
December 15, 2010: By this date, MDH must have convened a group of stakeholders to address the exception for swim ponds and made recommendations to the Legislature.
January 1, 2011: All pools greater than four feet deep must have an unblockable drain, OR at least two suction outlets, connected in parallel with covers that meet current ASME/ANSI standards, OR have a gravity outlet/drain, or another system approved by the commissioner that is equally effective or better than the systems
listed in this paragraph.
January 2, 2011: Pools greater than four feet deep that have not made the necessary modifications will be subject to closure.
June 30, 2011: The swim pond exception expires.