LA County Adopts Ordinances to Ensure Camp Safety and Drowning Prevention for Children
Click to read these new laws:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 28, 2022
CONTACT:
Kimberly Ortega, (213) 361-6435 or KOrtega@bos.lacounty.gov
LOS ANGELES, CA - Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a package of ordinances to enhance regulations for children's camps and prevent drownings.
The camp safety ordinance, known as the "Elena Matyas Children's Camp Safety Ordinance," establishes feasible and enforceable regulations with requirements for the health and safety of children at children's day camps and children's overnight camps under County jurisdiction. Additionally, it institutes fees for the issuance of a public health permit or registration. Without this ordinance, day camps would continue operating without CPR training, background checks, and staffing ratios.
The drowning prevention ordinance, known as the “Roxie’s Swim Safe Ordinance,” will expand lifeguard requirements to certain public and private swimming pools and swimming areas. It goes further to require aquatic safety plans and imposes requirements on pool owners and operators to report drownings and other incidents.
"I want to extend my sincere gratitude to Doug Forbes who, with his wife Elena, founded the Meow Meow Foundation after their daughter Roxie tragically drowned while at summer camp exactly three years ago today. Their tireless advocacy for change is what motivated me to address regulatory gaps in children’s camps and drowning prevention. Summer camp is a central part of a child’s upbringing. And although camp and swimming pools are out of reach for some communities, which we are working to address through park equity and open space initiatives, the responsibility to make camp and swimming activities safe for our children is on us. These ordinances do just that. I am proud that Los Angeles County is one of the first jurisdictions to adopt these types of ordinances, and I hope to see other localities move in this direction for the safety of our children."
The "Elena Matyas Children’s Camp Safety Ordinance" and “Roxie’s Swim Safe Ordinance” stem from two motions authored by Supervisor Solis in 2021, which are linked here and here.