Senate OKs bill for removal of disruptive campers

Betty Little

June 11, 2013

The State Senate today approved legislation sponsored by Senator Betty Little that would create a new law to address the removal of disruptive campground guests.  Current law does not define how these matters should be addressed.  As a result, courts have applied varying standards including citing landlord-tenant relationship.

“This legislation would provide the grounds for why a person could be asked to leave a campground,” said Senator Little.  “The purpose is to provide clarity, clear parameters and a legal process to follow.  It would bring campgrounds in line with what can be done at hotels and motels when guests become disruptive and a threat to other guests.”

The legislation (S.1360) adds a new section, 233-b to the Real Property Law, to define campgrounds and a campground owner and to provide for the removal of persons from a campground who, among other things, create a disturbance or otherwise violate lawful regulations promulgated by the campground owner.  The legislation also provides for the return of pre-paid fees and the disposal of property belonging to persons who are removed from a campground or abandon property on a campground.

The Campground Owners of New York (CONY) supports the bill.  Companion legislation is sponsored  by Assemblyman Steve Englebright of Long Island. 

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