Status, Next Steps and Timeline for Children's Camps and Drowning Prevention Ordinances

Based on two motions approved by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on June 8, 2021, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health ("Public Health"), the Office of the County Counsel and several other County departments convened to prepare and finalize changes to the Los Angeles County ordinance establishing safety standards for (1) Children's Day Camps and Overnight Camps to address an existing gap in State law which currently regulates only camps where children stay for five or more days, and (2) Public Swimming Pools at children's camps and schools, as well as other locations.

As part of this effort, Public Health held seven meetings including five public meetings from August to October 2021 to solicit and receive public input from constituents, stakeholders and other interested parties. We appreciate the hard work and participation of our constituents and other stakeholders. The input we received guided and informed the County in its efforts to prepare these ordinance changes.

As this process moves forward, the County departments will continue to engage constituents and other stakeholders. It is anticipated that in February a summary of the draft ordinance changes for review and additional input and comment from the public will be made available. It is anticipated that on or around March 2, 2022 the draft ordinance changes will be presented to representatives (deputies) for each of the Board offices during a regular public meeting. The public will also be able to review the draft ordinance changes and provide additional input and comment. It is anticipated that final draft ordinance changes will be introduced for consideration and approval by the Board to take effect during the Summer of 2022. To assist with compliance, once enacted, Public Health will initially provide education, and outreach to camp operators and parents/caregivers, with full enforcement by the Summer of 2023.

We thank all constituents and other stakeholders in this vital effort as we work to establish safety standards in Children's Day Camps and Public Swimming Pools in Los Angeles County.

If you would like to receive information in another language, please email: Communityhealth@ph.lacounty.gov

Last Updated: 2022-01-28

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To learn more about Public Health's Children's Camps Program, which inspects camps annually to ensure safety standards are met, please visit our Children's Camp page.

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