![Senator Headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_small/public/headshot_addabbo-hs-profile.jpg?itok=c6WN3952)
Addabbo: Senate Passes Bill Requiring Camp Directors to Report Suspected Child Abuse
Joseph P. Addabbo Jr
May 17, 2011
Queens, NY, May 16, 2011 – NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Queens), voted for the recent passage of a Senate bill pending in the Legislature, A.05519/S.3777-A, which would amend the social services law to require directors of children’s overnight, summer day and traveling summer day camps to report suspected child abuse and maltreatment, regardless of the location where abuse may have occurred.
Camp operators are currently required by the state Department of Health to report abuse or maltreatment that may occur at camp. However, the directors are not included as mandated reporters of child abuse that may be witnessed in other settings. In addition, directors that report suspected abuse could be liable for civil liability actions, such as slander or defamation. By including overnight, summer day and traveling summer day camp directors among the teaching, medical and law enforcement professions, and many others who act as mandated reporters, New York is increasing the potential for early detection of abuse and facilitating the ability of directors to come forward with important information.
Senator Addabbo explains, “As youth development professionals, camp directors work with hundreds of children each year. Their first interest is in the safety and well-being of their campers. The current Department of Health regulation requires camp operators and directors to report allegations of child abuse only when the alleged abuse or maltreatment occurs at the camp. This new bill extends to outside the camp, granting them immunity from civil liability actions like slander and defamation when they assert a good-faith claim of abuse. It also enlarges the network from the current list of 38 persons and officials required to make such a report immediately to the State Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment and the local department of social services when there is reasonable cause to suspect abuse. Such protections encourage camp directors to speak out when a child is threatened, guaranteeing that these professionals won’t hesitate when the need arises to protect their campers.”
The legislation has been sent to the Assembly. If passed, the law will take effect immediately.
# # #
Share this Article or Press Release
Newsroom
Go to NewsroomSenator Addabbo Hosts 4th and Final Rain Barrel Giveaway of the Year
September 18, 2023
![Senator Addabbo joins reprepresenatives from NYC DEP, community activist, Dorie Figliola and constituents who received a rain barrel at the event on Sunday.](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/2023/09/18/senator-addabbo-joins-reprepresenatives-from-nyc-dep-community-activist-dorie-figliola-and-constituents-who-received-a-rain-barrel-at-the-event-on-sunday-copy.jpg?itok=tmcx-xFF)
Addabbo's Annual BBQ Thanks Over 100 Veterans
September 12, 2023
![The veterans stood for the pledge of alligence](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/2023/09/12/the-veterans-stood-for-the-pledge-of-alligence.jpg?itok=sxoXxioX)
Addabbo Launches New Podcast Series to Tackle Community Issues
September 6, 2023
![Senator Addabbo has launched a new podcast series.](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/2023/09/06/addabbo-podcast-episode-one-screen-cap.png?itok=cQLF-Iqz)