Bill > S04626

This bill establishes a comprehensive Lyme disease and tick-borne infection awareness and prevention program specifically for children's overnight, summer day, and traveling summer day camps in New York. The New York Commissioner of Health, in consultation with the Commissioner of Environmental Conservation, is required to develop age-appropriate educational materials and instructional tools that help children identify ticks, understand safe tick removal procedures, and learn protection methods. These materials may include videos, pamphlets, and demonstration programs that show tick sizes before and after feeding and potential skin reactions from tick bites. The bill mandates that these resources be provided free of charge to camps upon request. Additionally, the bill requires the Commissioner to create regulations for camps regarding tick removal, including guidelines for camp employees over 18 years old, procedures for notifying parents when a tick is removed from a child, and developing informational materials about Lyme disease symptoms and treatment. These regulations will serve as minimum standards for all regulated children's camps and can optionally be implemented by non-regulated camps. The goal is to increase awareness, prevention, and proper response to tick-borne infections among children in summer camp settings.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S4626