AB 1737 Child Camp Safety Passes Committee

Sacramento, CA – Today, Assemblymember Chris Holden’s bill, Children’s camps: local registration and inspections, which is in response to the wholly preventable drowning death of 6-year-old Roxie Forbes at a Los Angeles County summer camp, as well as a history of traumatic incidents at children’s camps statewide, passed the Assembly Committee on Health. AB 1737, a long overdue measure that establishes health and safety standards to protect millions of child campers and counselors.

“We owe children and their guardians the promise of safely returning home,” said Assemblymember Chris Holden. “With AB 1737, we establish safety protocols for the security of children throughout California.”

AB 1737 would clarify that day and overnight camps attended by children are subject to California Department of Public Health (CDPH) regulations and specifically outline the obligations of CDPH, local agencies, and children’s camps prior to and during operation of the children’s camps. The bill would also require children’s camps to include in their operating plan submitted to their local agency normal operation procedures, security and emergency procedures, health and safety policies, and indicate whether the camp offers any high-risk activities, such as swimming and horseback riding.

“It is our responsibility as the adults in the room to provide supervision while parents/guardians are at work,” said Holden.

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