OHA reverses course on adult supervision mandate for children at public pools

The health authority said it will engage in “community conversations” for similar rulemaking processes going forward.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Public health leaders are walking back a rule requiring adult supervision for some minors at Oregon pools.

Public pools statewide must now post signage stating the Oregon Health Authority recommends that individuals over 18 accompany children under the age of 14, officials announced on Tuesday. The agency previously adopted an adult supervision mandate in April 2025, with Portland Parks & Recreation set to implement the policy for open swim sessions starting this summer.

But the health authority has reversed course due to pushback.

“After hearing from parents and caregivers of older elementary and early middle school-age children, the Food, Pool and Lodging Health and Safety Program is proposing additional discussion with the community and regulated partners to gather more input, ensure equitable access to public pools and continue to keep kids safe,” Gabriela Goldfarb, manager of OHA’s Environmental Public Health Section, explained in a statement.

The agency said it worked alongside a Rule Advisory Committee to develop the previous policy that aligned with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Model Aquatic Health Code. The code was established using national CDC data, which found swimming pool deaths are significant through the age of 13 before declining at 14, according to Oregon leaders.

Officials said the data also revealed drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related deaths for those between the ages of 5 and 14.

And while OHA noted committee members unanimously approved the adult supervision mandate, the agency added that “a broad range of more technical issues” like pool equipment and chemistry appeared throughout the rulemaking process.

The health authority is now working to implement a process in which parents, caregivers, pool operators and lifeguards can weigh in on the rule later this fall.

“Given the technical nature of most of the rules, OHA typically gets participation from pool facility operators and builders, and not the community members using the pool,” Goldfarb noted. “Going forward, when CDC updates its model codes, we’ll work to identify proposed changes that need community conversations to find the right path for Oregon.”