AB 262: Children’s camps: safety and regulation.

Existing law, the California Community Care Facilities Act, generally provides for the licensing and regulation of community care facilities, including child daycare facilities, by the State Department of Social Services. Existing law also requires the State Public Health Officer to establish rules and regulations establishing minimum standards for organized camps, defined as a site with a program and facilities established for the primary purposes of providing an outdoor group living experience with social, spiritual, educational, or recreational objectives, for 5 days or more during one or more seasons of the year, except as specified.

This bill, subject to an appropriation by the Legislature for this purpose, would require the State Department of Social Services to prepare a report, in consultation with a wide variety of stakeholders, regarding approaches for childrens camp health and safety regulation and oversight. The bill would require the stakeholder group to be composed of representatives of designated state entities, including, but not limited to, the State Department of Public Health and the State Department of Education, and other stakeholders, such as parent advocate groups and local parks and health departments. The bill would require the department, following consultation with the stakeholder group, and within 24 months after funds are appropriated, to submit its recommendations in a report to the Legislature, as specified. The bill would require the recommendations to address a definition for a childrens camp, the government agency or agencies necessary to establish and enforce rules and regulations relating to childrens camps, and minimum health and safety requirements, as specified. The bill would require the report to include costs estimates for implementation of the recommendations included in the report.