Ontario bill named for late Napanee teen seeks to anchor movable soccer nets
Garrett Mills was killed doing chin-ups off a movable soccer net in 2017
An Ontario bill that would require movable soccer goals to be secured — named in memory of a 15-year-old boy who was killed by one — has passed a key hurdle and may become law later this year.
Garrett Mills of Napanee, Ont., was playing in a park on May 12, 2017, with his girlfriend and his best friend, doing chin-ups off the crossbar of a movable soccer net when the 90-kilogram structure fell on top of him.
Ric Bresee, who represents the eastern Ontario riding of Hastings-Lennox and Addington for the Progressive Conservatives, introduced Garrett's Legacy Act, which would establish requirements for safe usage of movable soccer goals that are used by members of the public.
The bill introduces requirements that moveable nets be located on a level surface, securely attached to the ground if located outdoors and securely attached to the floor using weights if located indoors.
The penalty for failing to comply with the requirements prescribed in the bill is a fine of $500 each day the offence occurs up to a maximum of $5,000.
Bresee says movable soccer goals have been blamed for more than 40 deaths across North America, mostly of children.
The bill has now passed second reading, and is set to go to a committee. It will then be brought back to the legislature for third and final reading, which Bresee says may happen in the fall.
Bresee says the bill has the support of all sides of the legislature, including the government, and most importantly has the support of the Mills family, who don't want Garrett's death to have been in vain.
