Requires single-purpose day camps to ascertain whether an employee or volunteer is listed on the state sex offender registry pursuant to article six-C of the correction law

Summary of provisions

Section 1. Amends the article heading of article 13-B of the public health law to include single-purpose day camps within the applicability of the article.

Section 2. Amends section 1392 of the public health law by adding a new subdivision 3-a. The section defines "single-purpose day camp" as a property consisting of a tract of land and any tents, vehicles, buildings or other structures that may be pertinent to its use, any part of which may be occupied on a scheduled basis at any time between June first and September fifteenth in any year by children under sixteen years of age under general supervision, for the purpose of a single indoor or outdoor organized group activity, involving a nonpassive recreational activity with significant risk of injury, as such activities are defined by the department in rules and regulations, for a period of less than twenty-four hours on any day the property is so occupied, and on which no provisions are made for overnight occupancy by such children. The commissioner shall have the power to except by rule from this article and the sanitary code a place, facility or activity that is not within the intent of this definition.

Section 3. Amends section 1393 of the public health law to require single-purpose day camps to obtain a permit prior to operation.

Section 4. adds a new section 1394-c to the public health law to require single-purpose day camps to ascertain whether an employee or volunteer is listed on the state sex offender registry prior to the date the employee or volunteer begins employment.

Section 5. Adds a new paragraph (d-2) to subdivision 1 of section 424-a of the social services law to require all camps that fall under the provisions of article thirteen-B of the public health law, for every employee or volunteer, to check whether the employee or volunteer is on file with the statewide central register of child abuse and maltreatment.

Section 6. Effective on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall become law.

Justification

Protecting the safety and welfare of our children is of the utmost importance. Summer camps are a important part of our children's experience. However, not all camps currently fall under Department of Health Regulations. Single-purpose day camps are not required to check their employee's or volunteer's background. We must ensure that we protect children whether they attend an outdoor summer camp or a single-purpose day camp. Requiring these camps to check the sex offender registry will further protect our children's safety. Also, to make sure that all camps operated in New York are keeping our children safe, this bill would require that all camps check the statewide central register of child abuse and maltreatment to ascertain whether a prospective employee or volunteer is the subject of an indicted report. This will further ensure that are children will be protected from harm.

Legislative history

2011-12 - S.5239- Referred to Health

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date is authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such date.