Youth Camps Rule, 10-144 CMR Ch. 208

Date posted:

Attachment(s):

Maine CDC is adopting amendments to its Rules Relating to Youth Camps, Day Camps and Primitive Trip Camping which it has renamed “Youth Camps Rule”. The Department’s amendments to the rule include rule format changes and a change to the rule title for consistency with other Maine CDC rules. The Department also added, updated and clarified definitions within the rule. Other changes within the rule include incorporating the application, licensing and enforcement provisions and requirements from its Health Inspection Program Administration Rule (Ch. 201). Amendments to Chapter 208 clarify camper safety standards related to swimming program requirements, adventure challenge activities, trip camping, farm animals, subsurface wastewater disposal systems, fire safety, drinking water testing and reporting, certified food protection manager criteria and reporting, hand-washing water temperature requirements, health supervisors, standing orders, medication protocols, reporting requirements for notifiable conditions and diseases, staff hiring and training requirements, supervision ratios for youth camp counselors to campers, and transportation protocols. The Department also added language to further clarify the prohibition against child abuse and neglect and prohibit hazing and bullying by counselors. The Department also added the Maine statutory requirement for camps to establish and maintain policies that prevent child abuse and neglect, as well as train staff on how to respond to and report allegations or observations of abuse, neglect, hazing or bullying.

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 5, 2025

AGENCY CONTACT PERSON:

            NAME:           Andrew Hardy

            ADDRESS:    11 SHS - 286 Water Street

                                    Augusta, ME 04333-0011

            TELEPHONE: (207) 287-4490

            E-MAIL ADDRESS: andrew.hardy@maine.gov

AGENCY WEBSITE: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/rules/ https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/about/rulemaking

Adopted

Office: Maine CDC

Routine technical

Effective date:

Status message

Comments for this rule have been closed.

Off