Soccer goal safety bill advances through Va. Senate committee

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.