House Bill No. 6982, also known as Public Act No. 25-74, introduces new legal provisions regarding liability for injuries that occur while camping at private campgrounds, effective October 1, 2025. The bill defines key terms such as "camper," "camping," and "private campground," establishing that a camper is anyone using a private campground for recreational purposes. It stipulates that each camper assumes the risk for injuries arising from the inherent hazards of camping. However, this assumption of risk does not shield private campground owners or operators from liability in cases of negligence, intentional harm, disregard for safety, failure to exercise reasonable care, or failure to post adequate warning signs about dangerous conditions.

Additionally, the bill mandates that any written contract between a private campground owner and a camper must include a clearly readable warning notice indicating that campers assume the risk for injuries related to camping hazards. This new legal language aims to clarify the responsibilities and liabilities of both campers and campground owners, ensuring that campers are aware of the risks involved while also holding campground operators accountable for their actions or negligence.