California to Consider Bill Regulating Children's Camps

California to Consider Bill Regulating Children's Camps

Lawmakers in California recently introduced A.B.1737, a bill which would drastically expand the definition of camps in the state and apply new regulations to most day camps.

The bill proposes to change the terminology used in California law from “organized camp” to “children’s camp”. The new definition for “children’s camp” would drastically expand the definition of camps and apply regulations to far more camps than are currently regulated in the state.

“Children’s camps” are defined in the bill as: a camp that offers daytime or overnight experiences administered by professional adults who provide social, cultural, educational, recreational, or artistic programming to more than 5 children between 3 and 17 years of age for 5 days or longer during at least one season (licensed day care facilities are exempt from this definition).

If this bill passed, many regulations would now apply to “children’s camps”, these regulations include, but are not limited to:

Complying with the standards established by the state Director of Public Health
Complying with building standards established by the locality, the state Director of Public Health, and the State Building Standards Code
Filing an application for a camp license at least 90 days before desired opening date; Obtaining a license through the local health agency
Ensuring that a full-time adult health supervisor, is available on the premises of the children’s camp whenever campers are present
Ensuring camp’s written operating procedures describe the required information (including but not limited to: Camp Director qualifications and training, staff-to-camper ratio, a written statement of completed criminal history records checks, proof of insurance, etc.), and retaining site-specific written emergency action plans, as well as written camp health care policies (approved by agency)
Paying an application and annual licensing fee to the local public health agency
Expanding who qualifies as a mandated reporter to an administrator or a full-time employee of a children’s camp

The bill further establishes safety requirements, such as minimum staff-to-camper ratios, the types of background checks to be conducted, and the camper health records which need to be retained.

We would like to hear your thoughts on this proposal. If you have questions or comments, please contact Jake Landry, IHRSA’s public policy assistant.