Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB635

Introduced
2/20/25  

Caption

Providing for lifeguards.

Impact

The implementation of HB 635 will have a significant impact on health clubs across Pennsylvania. By mandating the presence of certified lifeguards, the bill aims to reduce the number of accidents and drownings in health club swimming pools, thus promoting higher safety standards. This requirement may compel health clubs to either hire additional staff or ensure that their current employees receive proper lifeguard training and certification. Overall, these changes will likely foster a more secure environment for patrons who utilize the swimming facilities at health clubs.

Summary

House Bill 635 aims to amend existing legislation surrounding health clubs in Pennsylvania, specifically regarding the provision of lifeguards at swimming pools. According to the proposed changes, any health club that operates a swimming pool with a water surface area of 1,500 square feet or larger must have at least one certified lifeguard on duty during open swimming hours. This bill reflects an increasing awareness of safety standards in recreational facilities and is intended to enhance the safety of patrons using swimming pools within these establishments.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 635 is largely supportive, as many stakeholders, including health club operators and public safety advocates, recognize the need for improved safety measures in swimming environments. The emphasis on certified lifeguards is seen as a proactive approach to minimizing risks associated with swimming pool use. While there may be concerns about the costs involved in hiring lifeguards or training existing staff, the overarching view is that the benefits to community safety outweigh these considerations.

Contention

Notably, there may be points of contention related to the specific requirements for lifeguard certification and the potential financial burden on smaller health clubs. Some may argue that the mandate could disproportionately affect facilities with limited resources, forcing them to close pools or raise membership fees in order to meet the regulations. Additionally, there might be discussions about the adequacy of the current lifeguard training programs and whether existing standards meet the needs of different health clubs across the state.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB1565

Further providing for title of act and for short title; providing for definitions, for water supply, for certified lifeguards, for swimming pool pesticides, for safety, for public notice, for hygiene, for violations and penalties, for permits, for issuance of permit, for fees, for powers and duties of department, for validity, for construction, for permit revocation or suspension, for public nuisance declaration, for violations and for repeals; and making editorial changes.

PA SB713

Further providing for employee available to administer CPR; and providing for automated external defibrillator.

PA HB116

Providing for unlawful retention policy.

PA HB2557

Further providing for definitions.

PA HB1087

Further providing for definitions, for unlawful acts or practices and exclusions and for private actions.

PA HB1427

Further providing for definitions, for minimum wages and for preemption.

PA SB772

Further providing for definitions, for minimum wages and for preemption.

PA HB2196

Providing for automatic renewal provisions in certain contracts for goods and services.

PA HB1135

Further providing for definitions and for minimum wages; providing for gratuities; further providing for enforcement and rules and regulations, for penalties and for civil actions; repealing provisions relating to preemption; and providing for taxpayer savings and reinvestment.

PA HB2042

In revenues, providing for audits of Pennsylvania Race Horse Development Trust Fund; in administration and enforcement, further providing for investigations and enforcement; in general provisions, further providing for definitions; in administration, further providing for records and confidentiality of information; in application and licensure, further providing for establishment licenses, for license or permit prohibition, for issuance and renewal and for conditional licenses; in operation, further providing for testing and certification of terminals and for video gaming limitations, providing for hours of operation and further providing for terminal placement agreements and for compulsive and problem gambling; in enforcement, further providing for investigations and enforcement; in revenues, further providing for distribution of local share, for regulatory assessments and for transfers from Video Gaming Fund; in ethics, further providing for political influence; in riot, disorderly conduct and related offenses, further providing for the offense of gambling devices, gambling, etc.; providing for implementation; and making a repeal.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.