Substitute House Bill No. 6952 seeks to enhance the regulation of recreational and educational children's programs in Connecticut, specifically targeting programs for children aged three to sixteen that operate during school vacations or weekends. Effective January 1, 2026, the bill prohibits these programs from using the term "camp" in their advertising unless they possess a youth camp license and disclose their unlicensed status. It mandates comprehensive background checks for all employees aged 18 and older who have unsupervised access to children, with existing employees required to undergo checks every five years. Additionally, the bill establishes a staff-to-child ratio of one staff member for every twelve children and requires at least one staff member to be trained in CPR and first aid during program hours.

The bill also expands the definition of mandated reporters of child abuse to include paid directors, assistant directors, and staff members aged 21 and older, who must complete annual training provided by the Department of Children and Families (DCF). The director of each municipal agency operating these programs is responsible for certifying compliance with training requirements starting August 1, 2026. While the bill introduces significant new responsibilities and training requirements, it does not include any deletions from current law. The changes aim to improve child safety and accountability within these programs, with the new provisions set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
KID Joint Favorable Substitute:
File No. 235: