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2013 SESSION


CHAPTER 375
An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 32.1 a chapter numbered 17, consisting of sections numbered 32.1-370 through 32.1-373, relating to the Movable Soccer Goal Safety Act.
[S 933]
Approved March 14, 2013

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Title 32.1 a chapter numbered 17, consisting of sections numbered 32.1-370 through 32.1-373, as follows:

CHAPTER 17.
MOVABLE SOCCER GOAL SAFETY ACT.

§ 32.1-370. Definitions.

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Movable soccer goal" means a freestanding structure consisting of at least two upright posts, a crossbar, and support bars that is designed to be (i) used by adults or children for the purposes of a soccer goal; (ii) used without any other form of support or restraint, other than pegs, stakes, augers, counter-weights, or other types of temporary anchoring devices; and (iii) able to be moved to different locations.

"Organization" means any park district, school district, sporting club, soccer organization, unit of local government, religious organization, business, or other similar organization that uses, owns, or maintains a movable soccer goal.

§ 32.1-371. Soccer goal safety and education policy required.

Every organization that owns and controls a movable soccer goal shall establish a soccer goal safety and education policy that outlines how the organization will address any safety concern related to movable soccer goals, including the dangers of unanchored or improperly anchored soccer goals tipping over and the care that must be taken to ensure proper installation, setup, maintenance, and transportation of movable soccer goals.

§ 32.1-372. Tip-resistant movable soccer goals required.

A. Beginning July 1, 2014, no commercial dealer, manufacturer, importer, distributor, wholesaler, or retailer may manufacture, re-manufacture, retrofit, distribute, or sell at wholesale or retail in the Commonwealth a movable soccer goal that is not tip-resistant.

B. For purposes of this chapter, a movable soccer goal with inside measurements of 6.5 to eight feet high and 18 to 24 feet wide does not qualify as tip-resistant unless it conforms to the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) standard F2673-08 for tip-resistant movable soccer goals.

§ 32.1-373. Technical assistance; improving soccer goal safety.

The Board shall provide technical assistance materials based on guidelines such as the Guidelines for Movable Soccer Goal Safety published by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in order to improve soccer goal safety.

2.  That the provisions of this act shall not become effective unless reenacted by the 2014 Session of the General Assembly.

3.  That the Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Division of State Parks shall convene a stakeholder work group, which shall include representatives of the Department of Education, the Department of Health, the Virginia Recreation and Park Society, youth and adult soccer associations, referees associations, semi-professional soccer associations, YMCAs, the Virginia Retail Merchants Association, and any others as deemed appropriate by the Director of State Parks or the Director of the Department of Conservation and Recreation, to examine the safety issues associated with moveable soccer goals. The work group shall also review practices in other states including laws, regulations, policies, and protocols that promote safety for players, especially youth; and review the current safety practices associated with moveable goals followed by soccer programs sponsored by schools, public parks and recreation programs, and private associations in the Commonwealth. The work group shall complete its work and report its findings and any recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than November 1, 2013.