Connecticut House Bill HB05336

Connecticut 2020 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/27/20
• Refer: 2/27/20
• Report Pass: 3/10/20

Caption

An Act Requiring Background Checks For Certain Employees Of Licensed Youth Camps.

Impact

If implemented, the bill would significantly modify existing regulations surrounding youth camp operations in the state. It mandates that background checks be conducted every five years for employees of youth camps, ensuring ongoing vigilance regarding the safety of children. Camps must verify that all staff members are cleared through these checks before they can be permitted to work with children, which aligns with best practices in child safety and care.

Summary

House Bill 05336 aims to enhance the safety of children attending licensed youth camps by instituting comprehensive background checks for all employees aged eighteen years and older. The bill requires these checks to encompass state and national criminal history records as well as checks against the state child abuse registry. This is deemed necessary to ensure that individuals working in close proximity to children do not pose a risk to their safety.

Contention

However, there may be some contention surrounding the bill. Critics might argue that extensive background checks could deter potential employees or impose an undue burden on smaller camps that already operate on limited budgets. There are concerns about the logistics of implementing such checks consistently and efficiently, particularly when considering the different types of youth camps operating within the state, including nonprofit and day camps affiliated with various organizations.