CHAPTER 368r
YOUTH CAMPS

As used in this chapter:
(1) "Youth camp" means any regularly scheduled program or organized group activity advertised as a camp or operated by a person, partnership, corporation, association, the state or a municipal agency for recreational or educational purposes and accommodating for profit or under philanthropic or charitable auspices five or more children, under eighteen years of age, who are (A) not bona fide personal guests in the private home of an individual, and (B) living apart from their relatives, parents or legal guardian, for a period of three days or more per week or portions of three or more days per week, provided any such relative, parent or guardian who is an employee of such camp shall not be considered to be in the position of loco parentis to such employee's child for the purposes of this chapter, but does not include (i) classroom-based summer instructional programs operated by any person, provided no activities that may pose a health risk or hazard to participating children are conducted at such programs, (ii) schools which operate a summer educational program, or (iii) licensed day care centers;
(2) "Resident camp" means any youth camp which is established, conducted or maintained on any parcel or parcels of land on which there are located dwelling units or buildings intended to accommodate five or more children for at least seventy-two consecutive hours and in which the campers attending such camps eat and sleep;
(3) "Day camp" means any youth camp which is established, conducted or maintained on any parcel or parcels of land on which there are located dwelling units or buildings intended to accommodate five or more children during daylight hours for at least three days a week with the campers eating and sleeping at home, except for one meal per day, but does not include programs operated by a municipal agency;
(4) "Person" means any individual, partnership, association, organization, limited liability company or corporation;
(5) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Public Health; and
(6) "Department" means the Department of Public Health.
(1969, P.A. 820, S. 1; P.A. 77-614, S. 323, 610; P.A. 79-145, S. 1; P.A. 91-329; P.A. 92-195, S. 2, 3; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-79, S. 61, 189; 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; P.A. 01-94, S. 1; 01-195, S. 144, 181; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-4, S. 36, 58.)
History: P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner and department of health with commissioner and department of health services, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 79-145 redefined "youth camp", "resident camp" and "day camp"; Sec. 19-539 transferred to Sec. 19a-420 in 1983; P.A. 91-329 clarified that camps owned by the state or a municipal agency are included in definition of "youth camps"; P.A. 92-195 redefined "day camp" to exclude municipal programs; P.A. 93-381 replaced department and commissioner of health services with department and commissioner of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-79 redefined "person" to include a limited liability company, effective May 31, 1995; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services with Commissioner and Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 01-94 redesignated Subdivs. (a) to (f) as Subdivs. (1) to (6), made other technical changes and amended the definition of "youth camp" by adding exception for classroom-based summer instructional programs; P.A. 01-195 duplicated technical changes made by P.A. 01-94, effective July 11, 2001; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-4 changed effective date of P.A. 01-94 from October 1, 2001, to June 6, 2001, effective July 1, 2001.

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No person shall establish, conduct or maintain a youth camp without a license issued by the department. Applications for such license shall be made in writing at least thirty days prior to the opening of the youth camp on forms provided and in accordance with procedures established by the commissioner and shall be accompanied by a fee of six hundred fifty dollars or, if the applicant is a nonprofit, nonstock corporation or association, a fee of two hundred fifty dollars or, if the applicant is a day camp affiliated with a nonprofit organization, for no more than five days duration and for which labor and materials are donated, no fee. All such licenses shall be valid for a period of one year from the date of issuance unless surrendered for cancellation or suspended or revoked by the commissioner for violation of this chapter or any regulations adopted under section 19a-428 and shall be renewable upon payment of a six- hundred-fifty-dollar license fee or, if the licensee is a nonprofit, nonstock corporation or association, a two-hundred-fifty-dollar license fee or, if the applicant is a day camp affiliated with a nonprofit organization, for no more than five days duration and for which labor and materials are donated, no fee.
(1969, P.A. 820, S. 2; P.A. 77-614, S. 323, 610; May sp. Sess. P.A. 92-6, S. 13, 117; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95- 257, S. 12, 21, 58; 95-317, S. 4; P.A. 01-195, S. 145, 181.)
History: P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner and department of health with commissioner and department of health services, effective January 1, 1979; Sec. 19-540 transferred to Sec. 19a-421 in 1983; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-6 increased license and renewal fees from one hundred to six hundred fifty dollars except if applicant is a nonprofit, nonstock corporation or association then from twenty-five to two hundred fifty dollars; P.A. 93-381 replaced department and commissioner of health services with department and commissioner of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services with Commissioner and Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 95-317 added the fee exemption for five-day duration day camps with donated labor and materials; P.A. 01-195 referenced Sec. 19a-428 re regulations and made technical changes, effective July 11, 2001.

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Sec. 19a-422. (Formerly Sec. 19-541). Requirements for licensing of camps. License to be displayed. To be eligible for the issuance or renewal of a youth camp license pursuant to this chapter, the camp shall satisfy the following requirements: (1) The location of the camp shall be such as to provide adequate surface drainage and afford facilities for obtaining a good water supply; (2) each dwelling unit, building and structure shall be maintained in good condition, suitable for the use to which it is put, and shall present no health or fire hazard as so certified, within ninety days of such application, by the department or State Fire Marshal, as the case may be; (3) there shall be an adequate and competent staff, which includes the camp director, activities specialists, counselors and maintenance personnel, of good character and reputation; (4) all hazardous activities, including, but not limited to, archery, aquatics, horseback riding and firearms instruction, shall be supervised by a qualified activities specialist who has adequate experience and training in such specialist's area of specialty; (5) the staff of a resident and nonresident camp shall at all times include an adult trained in the administration of first aid as required by the commissioner; (6) records of personal data for each camper shall be kept in any reasonable form the camp director may choose, and shall include (A) the camper's name, age and address, (B) the name, address and telephone number of the parents or guardian, (C) the dates of admission and discharge, and (D) such other information as the commissioner shall require. Any youth camp licensed under this chapter shall operate only as the type of camp authorized by such license. Such camps shall not advertise any service they are not equipped or licensed to offer. The license shall be posted in a conspicuous place at camp headquarters and failure to so post the license shall result in the presumption that the camp is being operated in violation of this chapter.
(1969, P.A. 820, S. 3; P.A. 77-614, S. 323, 610; P.A. 79-145, S. 2; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; P.A. 01-195, S. 146, 181.)
History: P.A. 77-614 replaced department of health with department of health services, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 79-145 required that camps operate only as authorized by license and that they not advertise services they are not equipped or licensed to offer; Sec. 19-541 transferred to Sec. 19a-422 in 1983; P.A. 93-381 replaced department of health services with department of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services with Commissioner and Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 01-195 replaced alphabetic Subdiv. designators with numeric designators and made technical changes, including changes for the purpose of gender neutrality, effective July 11, 2001.

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(a) Upon the denial of an application for an original youth camp license under this chapter, the commissioner shall notify the applicant in writing of such denial, by mailing a notice to the applicant at the applicant's address shown on the application.
(b) The commissioner may suspend, revoke or refuse to renew the license of any youth camp regulated and licensed under this chapter if the licensee: (1) Is convicted of any offense involving moral turpitude, the record of conviction being conclusive evidence thereof; (2) is legally adjudicated insane or mentally incompetent, the record of such adjudication being conclusive evidence thereof; (3) uses any narcotic or any controlled drug, as defined in section 21a-240, to an extent or in a manner that such use impairs the licensee's ability to properly care for children; (4) consistently fails to maintain standards prescribed and published by the department; (5) furnishes or makes any misleading or any false statement or report to the department; (6) refuses to submit to the department any reports or refuses to make available to the department any records required by it in investigating the facility for licensing purposes; (7) fails or refuses to submit to an investigation or inspection by the department or to admit authorized representatives of the department at any reasonable time for the purpose of investigation, inspection or licensing; (8) fails to provide, maintain, equip and keep in safe and sanitary condition premises established for or used by the campers pursuant to minimum standards prescribed by the department or by ordinances or regulations applicable to the location of such facility; or (9) wilfully or deliberately violates any of the provisions of this chapter.
(1969, P.A. 820, S. 4; P.A. 77-614, S. 323, 610; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-4, S. 16.)
History: P.A. 77-614 replaced department of health with department of health services, effective January 1, 1979; Sec. 19-542 transferred to Sec. 19a-423 in 1983; P.A. 93-381 replaced department of health services with department of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services with Commissioner and Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 1995; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-4 deleted provision re appeal of denial in Subsec. (a) and made technical changes in Subsecs. (a) and (b).

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Any licensee aggrieved by the action of the commissioner in suspending or revoking any license under the provisions of this chapter may appeal therefrom in accordance with the provisions of section 4-183.
(1969, P.A. 820, S. 5; 1971, P.A. 179, S. 9; P.A. 76-436, S. 396, 681; P.A. 77-603, S. 57, 125; 77-614, S. 323, 610; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-4, S. 17.)
History: 1971 act required bringing of appeal "not less than twelve or more than thirty days after service thereof" rather than on "next return day" or "next but one"; P.A. 76-436 replaced court of common pleas with superior court and included judicial districts, effective July 1, 1978; P.A. 77-603 replaced previous detailed appeal provisions with statement that appeals to be made in accordance with Sec. 4-183; P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner of health with commissioner of health services, effective January 1, 1979; Sec. 19-543 transferred to Sec. 19a-424 in 1983; P.A. 93-381 replaced commissioner of health services with commissioner of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services with Commissioner and Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 1995; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-4 deleted provisions re applicant appeal of action denying license and made a technical change.

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Any person who establishes, conducts or maintains a youth camp without a license as required by this chapter for a first offense shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than five hundred dollars, and for a second or subsequent offense shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than seven hundred fifty dollars, and each day during which a youth camp is conducted or maintained without a license, after notification to such person by the commissioner, shall constitute a separate offense. The Commissioner of Public Health may apply to the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford, or for the judicial district where the defendant named in such application resides, for an injunction to restrain the operation or maintenance of a youth camp by any person other than a licensed operator. The application for such injunction or the issuance of the same shall be in addition to and shall not relieve any such person from the imposition of a civil penalty under this section. In connection with any such application for an injunction, it shall not be necessary to prove that an adequate remedy at law does not exist.
(1969, P.A. 820, S. 6; P.A. 74-338, S. 14, 94; P.A. 76-436, S. 397, 681; P.A. 77-614, S. 323, 610; P.A. 78-280, S. 1, 5, 127; P.A. 88-230, S. 1, 12; P.A. 90-98, S. 1, 2; P.A. 93-142, S. 4, 7, 8; 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-220, S. 4—6; 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; P.A. 99-125, S. 4.)
History: P.A. 74-338 made technical correction, inserting the word "shall"; P.A. 76-436 replaced court of common pleas with superior court and included judicial districts, effective July 1, 1978; P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner of health with commissioner of health services, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-280 deleted reference to counties and replaced Hartford county with judicial district of Hartford-New Britain; Sec. 19-544 transferred to Sec. 19a-425 in 1983; P.A. 88-230 replaced "judicial district of Hartford-New Britain" with "judicial district of Hartford", effective September 1, 1991; P.A. 90-98 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1991, to September 1, 1993; P.A. 93- 142 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1993, to September 1, 1996, effective June 14, 1993; P.A. 93-381 replaced commissioner of health services with commissioner of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-220 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1996, to September 1, 1998, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services with Commissioner and Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 99-125 changed penalty from a fine to a civil penalty, deleted reference to criminal prosecution and made technical changes.

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The Department of Public Health shall inspect or cause to be inspected the facilities to be operated by an applicant for an original license before the license shall be granted, and shall annually thereafter inspect or cause to be inspected the facilities of all licensees. No annual inspection shall be required under this section in the case of facilities of a licensee located in any dormitory, classroom or other building or any athletic facility owned and maintained by any college or university, provided a timely safety inspection of such building or facility, satisfactory to the department, is conducted by or on behalf of such college or university.
(1969, P.A. 820, S. 7; P.A. 77-614, S. 323, 610; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; P.A. 01-94, S. 2; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-4, S. 36, 58.)
History: P.A. 77-614 replaced department of health with department of health services, effective January 1, 1979; Sec. 19-545 transferred to Sec. 19a-426 in 1983; P.A. 93-381 replaced department of health services with department of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services with Commissioner and Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 01-94 added provisions re college or university buildings or facilities; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-4 changed effective date of P.A. 01-94 from October 1, 2001, to June 6, 2001, effective July 1, 2001.

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The Commissioner of Public Health is authorized to accept, on behalf of the state, any grants of federal or private funds made available for any purposes consistent with the provisions of this chapter. The commissioner, with the approval of the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, may direct the disposition of any such grants so accepted in conformity with the terms and conditions under which given.
(1969, P.A. 820, S. 8; P.A. 77-614, S. 19, 323, 610; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58.)
History: P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner of finance and control with secretary of the office of policy and management and, effective January 1, 1979, replaced commissioner of health with commissioner of health services; Sec. 19-546 transferred to Sec. 19a-427 in 1983; P.A. 93-381 replaced commissioner of health services with commissioner of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services with Commissioner and Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 1995.

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Sec. 19a-428. (Formerly Sec. 19-547). Regulations re safe operation, physical examinations and glucose monitoring for diabetes. (a) The Commissioner of Public Health shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, relating to the safe operation of youth camps, including, but not limited to, personnel qualifications for director and staff; ratio of staff to campers; sanitation and public health; personal health, first aid and medical services; food handling, mass feeding and cleanliness; water supply and waste disposal; water safety, including use of lakes and rivers, swimming and boating equipment and practices, vehicle condition and operation; building and site design; equipment; and condition and density of use, as the commissioner may deem necessary or desirable. Such regulations shall be construed to be minimum standards subject to the imposition and enforcement of higher standards by any town, city or borough.
(b) The Commissioner of Public Health shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, allowing physical examinations or health status certifications required by youth camps prior to the date of arrival at youth camps to be made by a physician, an advanced practice registered nurse or registered nurse licensed pursuant to chapter 378 or a physician assistant licensed pursuant to chapter 370. Such regulations shall permit a physical examination that is required for school purposes to also be used to satisfy any such required youth camp examination or certification, subject to such conditions regarding the timeliness of such examination as the commissioner deems appropriate.
(c) The Commissioner of Public Health shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, that specify conditions under which youth camp directors and staff may administer tests to monitor glucose levels in a child with diagnosed diabetes mellitus, and administer medicinal preparations, including controlled drugs specified in the regulations adopted by the commissioner, to a child enrolled in a youth camp at such camp. The regulations shall require authorization pursuant to: (1) The written order of a physician licensed to practice medicine or a dentist licensed to practice dental medicine in this or another state, an advanced practice registered nurse licensed under chapter 378, a physician assistant licensed under chapter 370, a podiatrist licensed under chapter 375 or an optometrist licensed under chapter 380; and (2) the written authorization of a parent or guardian of such child.
(1969, P.A. 820, S. 9; P.A. 77-614, S. 323, 610; P.A. 93-381, S. 9, 39; P.A. 95-45; 95-257, S. 12, 21, 58; P.A. 99-125, S. 5; P.A. 01-94, S. 3; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-4, S. 36, 58.)
History: P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner of health with commissioner of health services, effective January 1, 1979; Sec. 19-547 transferred to Sec. 19a-428 in 1983; P.A. 93-381 replaced commissioner of health services with commissioner of public health and addiction services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-45 added Subsec. (b) requiring regulations allowing examinations and certificates by physicians, nurses and physician assistants; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services with Commissioner and Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 99-125 added new Subsec. (c) re glucose monitoring for diabetes and made technical changes; P.A. 01-94 amended Subsec. (b) by authorizing physical examinations required for school purposes to be used to satisfy youth camp examination requirements; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-4 changed effective date of P.A. 01-94 from October 1, 2001, to June 6, 2001, effective July 1, 2001.

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Reserved for future use.

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