Carlucci & Abinanti Bill Signed Into Law Today Requires Non-Regulated Camps To Notify Parents

(Albany, NY) – Today Governor Cuomo signed Senator David Carlucci's and Assemblyman Tom Abinanti's bill (S.1140/A.2029) into law, which requires that parents be notified if the camp their children are attending is not regulated by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH).

“The Governor has taken action to keep our children safe," said Senator David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Westchester). "Non-regulated camps currently operate with no oversight, and it's scary for parents who may have no idea. Now by requiring notification, we can hopefully keep an inventory of these camps in the future. Thank you, Governor Cuomo, for signing this bill into law, and thank you to Assemblyman Abinanti, the New York State Camp Directors Association, and the American Camp Association of New York and New Jersey for your efforts to pass this bill."  

"This is all about children’s safety. Parents need complete information when deciding where to send their children. I applaud the Governor’s quick action in signing the new law that helps parents be fully informed about the status of children’s camps," said Assemblyman Tom Abinanti (D-Greenburgh/Mt. Pleasant).

"The New York State Camp Directors Association and the American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey are proud to be part of this historic legislation. This law will help to ensure that families can make informed decisions about where to send their children during the summer in New York. We salute Senator Carlucci and Assemblyman Abinanti for their continued leadership and support around protecting children and helping the summer camp industry in the state of New York," said Susie Lupert with the New York State Camp Directors Association and American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey.

Last week, Carlucci and Abinanti called on the Governor to sign the bill quickly. It is estimated that there are about 10,000 non-regulated single purpose day camps operating in New York State. Non-regulated camps could pose safety risks to children because they are not required to meet the same health and safety standards as regulated camps. Single-purpose camps focus on one activity like baseball or soccer and are extremely popular for children who specialize in a single sport.

Non-regulated camps do not have to obtain a permit from the NYSDOH so they do not have to check if the staff is on the sex offender registry prior to hiring, report injuries or illnesses of campers, or keep up to date vaccination records of campers.   

The new law will require non-regulated camps to provide parents or guardians with notice that they are not regulated by the NYSDOH by including the following notice on a child’s application or enrollment form:

"This camp is not regulated or inspected by the New York State Department of Health and is not required to obtain a Department of Health permit. This camp is not required to follow Department of Health regulations, including, checking the state sex offender registry prior to hiring staff; maintaining minimum staff-to-child ratios; hiring medical personnel; or reporting injuries or illnesses to the Department of Health."

Non-regulated camps will also have to include the notice on their website and post it prominently at the camp’s facilities.

The new law will take effect in 90 days.