Bill > HB1536

This bill establishes comprehensive regulations for summer camps in Missouri, defining key terms and setting specific safety and operational standards. The legislation requires summer camps to have employees certified in aquatic equipment operation, develop a detailed written emergency plan covering scenarios like natural disasters, lost children, and medical emergencies, and ensure that at least half of camp counselors and directors are trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator use. The bill mandates annual inspections of aquatic activities and equipment by state departments, requires all camp counselors to undergo extensive criminal background checks involving state and federal fingerprint checks, sex offender registry searches, and child abuse registry checks, and requires camps to be licensed by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Camps must disclose their licensure status to parents and maintain inspection records. Starting May 1, 2027, violations will result in escalating financial penalties, beginning with a class C misdemeanor and a fine up to $750 for the first offense, and potentially escalating to a class A misdemeanor with daily fines up to $2,000. The bill specifically excludes religion-based summer camps from these requirements and gives the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education authority to create implementing regulations.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1536&year=2025&code=R