The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is revisiting a controversial rule that could have kept many middle schoolers out of public pools this summer. Initially adopted in April 2025, the rule mandated that all children under 14 must be supervised by an adult aged 18 or older. Following community backlash and concerns about social isolation, OHA announced a temporary guideline recommending that children under 14 be accompanied by an adult. This decision comes after a review of drowning incidents, which revealed that most fatalities among children occur in natural bodies of water rather than lifeguard-protected pools. OHA will convene a public process this fall to gather feedback from parents, caregivers, and pool operators to inform future regulations. The agency acknowledged a lack of communication regarding the implications of the previous rule, which could have disproportionately affected middle schoolers. The revised guideline aims to balance safety with accessibility for young swimmers while addressing community concerns about the potential risks of limiting pool access.