Senate Bill No. 157 aims to enhance the safety of municipal youth camps by clarifying the mandated reporter requirements for staff at these camps. The bill specifies that all paid staff members, including directors and assistant directors who are 21 years of age or older, at youth camps operated by municipal agencies are mandated reporters. This means they have a legal obligation to report any suspected cases of child abuse or neglect, aligning with existing laws that apply to other designated professions. The bill also repeals and replaces a section of current law to explicitly include municipal youth camp staff in the mandated reporter category.

Additionally, the bill requires the Office of Early Childhood to submit a report by January 1, 2027, detailing each municipal youth camp in Connecticut. This report will include information on the operational structure of the camps, the number and age range of children served, and whether the camps accept child care assistance subsidy payments. The report is to be developed in consultation with various state-wide organizations representing municipal interests. The effective date for the mandated reporter provisions is set for October 1, 2026, while the report requirement takes effect immediately upon passage.