Health agency botches pool rule

By Taxpayers Association of Oregon Foundation,

The Oregon Health Authority adopted a statewide rule in April 2025 prohibiting anyone under 14 access a poll to be accompanied by an adult.  The rule also said that pools must post a notice saying the state “recommends” children under 14 be accompanied by an adult.  The agency, never had such a rule in the past, but took a leap of faith on this one.  The agency soon rescinded the rule after public outcry.   In the past, Portland pools required children 10 and under to have a chaperone who was at least 16. Critics say the rule would have left children socially isolated or force them to swim in more non-supervised places like outdoor rivers and lakes without lifeguard supervision.