Substitute Senate Bill No. 215, Public Act No. 24-49, is an act concerning youth camps, which introduces several changes to the inspection and licensing processes for youth camps, effective July 1, 2024. The act mandates that the office must inspect facilities operated by an applicant for an original license before granting the license, and again within 72 hours after the licensee commences operations. If a corrective action plan is approved for the licensee, inspections must occur within 72 hours after such approval and weekly thereafter until full compliance is determined. The act also prioritizes inspections for applicants for an original license and single-week youth camps, while giving less priority to licensees with national accreditation or those with no complaints or violations in the previous five years. Annual inspections are not required for facilities located in certain college or university buildings, provided a satisfactory safety inspection is conducted by the institution.

Additionally, the act establishes a Youth Camp Safety Advisory Council within the Office of Early Childhood to advise the Commissioner of Early Childhood on safety issues at youth camps. The council will consist of various representatives from the camping and youth service community, with appointments to be made by September 1, 2024, and the first meeting to be held by September 15, 2024. The act also amends the discretion of the Commissioner of Early Childhood to refuse, suspend, or revoke a youth camp license based on certain criminal convictions of the person operating the camp or their employees, including felonies involving physical force, cruelty to persons, risk of injury to children, abandonment of children, or sexual offenses. It also considers the suitability of a person with a criminal record or a history of a revoked youth camp license in another state.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
KID Joint Favorable Substitute:
File No. 136:
Public Act No. 24-49: