House Bill No. 5256, known as "AN ACT CONCERNING LIABILITY FOR INJURIES INHERENT IN CAMPING WHILE AT A PRIVATE CAMPGROUND," is a legislative proposal that addresses the assumption of risk and liability associated with camping at private campgrounds. The bill, which is set to become effective on October 1, 2024, defines key terms such as "camper," "camping," and "private campground." It stipulates that campers assume the risk for any injuries arising from inherent hazards in camping activities. However, the bill does not prevent lawsuits or limit the liability of private campground owners or operators in cases where their actions constitute negligence, intentional harm, disregard for safety, failure to exercise due care, or failure to post warning signs of known dangerous conditions.

The bill also mandates that any written contract between a private campground owner (or their employee or officer) and a camper must include a clearly readable warning notice stating that campers assume the risk for injuries inherent in camping. The definition of "camping" encompasses all activities related to visiting, staying at, using, and leaving a private campground, including the use of any lodging on site. A "private campground" is defined as land with five or more campsites for temporary living quarters for recreational camping, travel, or seasonal use, including recreational vehicle parks operated by a private property owner. The bill received a Joint Favorable report from the Judiciary Committee with a vote of 35-0 on April 1, 2024. The fiscal impact statement indicates that there is no anticipated fiscal impact on the state or municipalities, and it is not expected to materially affect court operations.