Conn. bill establishes standards for school pools

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Legislation that sets stronger pool safety measures following the recent deaths of two Connecticut students is facing a public hearing.

The proposal establishes standards for people who can teach and supervise a physical education course using a swimming pool, requiring an additional supervisor to be on hand if a course has more than 25 students.

The bill also requires school districts to create swimming pool safety plans and the state Department of Public Health to adopt regulations regarding swimming pools and natatoriums in the Public Health Code.

The General Assembly's Education Committee is scheduled to hear testimony on the bill during a public hearing on Monday.

A student at Manchester High School and a youngster at East Hartford High School drowned last year in their school pools.