2023 -- H 5429

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LC000829

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

     RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- LICENSING OF YOUTH CAMPS

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Craven, Caldwell, McEntee, Diaz, and Casey

     Date Introduced: February 08, 2023

     Referred To: House Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby

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amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

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CHAPTER 21.2

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LICENSING OF YOUTH CAMPS

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     23-21.2-1. Definitions.

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     When used in this chapter:

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     (1) "Adequate" means that which is needed to accomplish the intended purpose in keeping

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with good public health practice.

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     (2) "Day camp" means a camp operated for less than twenty-four (24) hours in any one

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day, not including family day care homes as defined in § 23-28.1-5 or child day care centers as

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defined in § 23-75-2. Day campers will be limited to two (2) overnight programs per week.

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     (3) "Department" means the department of human services.

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     (4) "Director" means the director of the department of human services.

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     (5) "Residential camp" means a camp which provides overnight facilities.

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     (6) "Youth camp" means any day camp or residential camp which conducts a program for

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ten (10) or more campers.

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     23-21.2-2. Requirements for licensing of youth camps.

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     To be eligible for the issuance or renewal of a youth camp license, the camp shall satisfy

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the following requirements:

 

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     (1) The location of the camp shall be such as to provide adequate potable water and afford

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facilities for obtaining readily available potable water;

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     (2) Each dwelling unit, building and structure shall be maintained in good condition,

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suitable for the use to which it is intended, and shall present no health or fire hazard as so certified

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by the department of health and the state fire marshal or local fire marshal, and if required, as

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indicated by a current fire marshal certificate dated within the past year and available on site when

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the youth camp is in operation;

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     (3) There shall be an adequate and competent staff of good character and reputation,

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consisting of:

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     (i) The youth camp director or assistant director, one of whom shall be on site at all times

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the camp is in operation;

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     (ii) Activities specialists;

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     (iii) Counselors; and

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     (iv) Maintenance personnel;

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     (4) Each camp staff member over the age of eighteen (18) shall be required to obtain a

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criminal records background check from the bureau of criminal identification and investigation

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division of the state police, local police department, or the office of the attorney general;

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     (5) All youth camp staff shall be trained, at a minimum, on the camp's policies and

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procedures pertaining to behavioral management and supervision, emergency health and safety

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procedures and recognizing, preventing and reporting child abuse and neglect in accordance with

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§ 40-11-3;

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     (6) All hazardous activities, including, but not limited to, archery, aquatics, horseback

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riding and firearms instruction, shall be supervised by a qualified activities specialist who has

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adequate experience and training in such area of specialty;

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     (7) The staff of a residential and day camp shall at all times include an individual trained

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in the administration of first aid as required by the director;

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     (8) Records of personal data for each camper shall be kept in any reasonable form. The

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form shall include:

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     (i) The camper's name, age and address;

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     (ii) The name, address and telephone number of the parents or guardian;

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     (iii) The dates of admission and discharge; and

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     (iv) Such other information as required by the department; and

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     (9) Any youth camp licensed under this chapter shall operate only as the type of camp

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authorized by such license. Such camps shall not advertise any service they are not equipped or

 

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licensed to offer. The license shall be posted in a conspicuous place at youth camp headquarters

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and failure to so post the license shall result in the presumption that the camp is being operated in

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violation of this chapter.

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     23-21.2-3. Inspections of facilities.

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     The department shall inspect or cause to be inspected the facilities to be operated by an

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applicant for an original license before the license shall be granted and shall annually thereafter

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inspect or cause to be inspected the facilities of all licensees.

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     23-21.2-4. Rules and regulations.

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     The department shall promulgate rules and regulations deemed necessary to implement the

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purposes of this chapter.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2024.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

     RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- LICENSING OF YOUTH CAMPS

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     This act would establish the procedures and requirements for the licensing of youth camps.

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     This act would take effect on January 1, 2024.

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