Recreational and organizational camps.

Existing law requires the State Public Health Officer to establish rules and regulations establishing minimum standards for organized camps. Existing law requires the State Fire Marshal to adopt minimum fire safety regulations for organized camps. Existing law requires local health officers to enforce building standards relating to organized camps and the other rules and regulations adopted by the State Public Health Officer. Existing law defines "organized camp," for these purposes, 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 would additionally define "recreational camp" as a camp that operates for profit or nonprofit purposes, serves 5 or more children, and operates for at least 5 days during any season. The bill would exempt a licensed daycare facility from the definition of recreational camp. This bill would require an organized camp and a recreational camp to obtain a license from the local agency of the jurisdiction where the camp is located before operating a camp. The bill would establish a procedure for a camp to submit an application to a local agency for a license and would authorize a local agency to charge an application fee in a specified amount. The bill would require the local agency to inspect a camp for compliance with these provisions before issuing a license to operate. This bill would additionally require the State Public Health Officer to adopt rules and regulations governing the operation of recreational camps. The bill would require the State Fire Marshal to adopt minimum fire safety regulations for recreational camps. The bill would require local health officers to enforce building standards and the other rules and regulations adopted by the State Public Health Officer relating to recreational camps, in addition to organized camps. The bill would require each local agency to report to the State Department of Public Health whether each camp within its jurisdiction complies with the licensing and operational requirements established in the bill. By requiring local agencies to enforce these building standards and other regulations, the bill imposes a state-mandated local program. This bill would establish the Recreational Camp Safety Advisory Council within the state government to advise and consult on policy matters relating to recreational camps, as specified. This bill would require each recreational camp to employ a camp director that meets specified requirements and a health director that meets specified requirements. The bill would impose various age and training requirements on camp counselors, junior counselors, and other staff and volunteers. The bill would require each camp operator to review the criminal background of each camp staff member and volunteer. The bill would require each recreational camp to develop an emergency action plan and require each counselor and member of camp staff to be trained in the procedures of the plan. The bill would require each camp to comply with a specified counselor-to-camper ratio, depending on the age of the campers and the specific activities provided. The bill would require the health director to develop a health care policy for the camp that addresses various camp procedures, including daily health supervision, medication storage and administration, and the provision of medical, nursing, and first aid services. This bill would impose specified requirements on specific camp activities including, among others, riflery, archery, horseback riding, climbing, swimming, and scuba diving. The bill would require each camp to obtain specified certifications before offering high-risk activities. This bill would authorize a local agency to levy a civil penalty on each camp that fails to comply with the requirements of the bill, in an amount not to exceed $200 per day until the local agency finds the camp is in compliance. The Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act requires a mandated reporter, which includes an administrator of a public or private day camp, to report whenever the mandated reporter, in a professional capacity or within the scope of employment, has knowledge of or has observed a child whom the mandated reporter knows or reasonably suspects has been the victim of child abuse or neglect. Failure by a mandated reporter to report an incident of known or reasonably suspected child abuse or neglect is a misdemeanor. This bill would designate a recreational camp operator, camp director, or other staff of a recreational camp licensed pursuant to these provisions as a mandated reporter. By expanding the scope of a crime and requiring local officials to receive additional reports of suspected child abuse or neglect, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for specified reasons.