The proposed Bill No. 6825 aims to enhance safety measures for in-ground swimming pools by mandating that all pool owners install a barrier that complies with the updated State Building Code, effective July 1, 2025. Specifically, any in-ground swimming pool that lacks such a barrier must have it installed by July 1, 2026. This requirement is intended to reduce safety risks, particularly for children, associated with unprotected swimming pools.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that a provision in the State Building Code, which previously allowed for the installation of a powered safety cover or retractable cover as an exception to the barrier requirement, will no longer be considered valid. This change emphasizes the necessity of physical barriers around pools to ensure safety, thereby eliminating any ambiguity regarding the use of safety covers as a substitute for proper barriers.