Adds staff of day camps and residential camps for youth to the definition of "person responsible for a child's welfare" within the chapter on abused and neglected children.

Plain-English Summary

This bill expands the legal definition of who counts as a "person responsible for a child's welfare" under Rhode Island's laws on child abuse and neglect. Specifically, it adds staff members who work at day camps and overnight (residential) camps for young people to this category. Right now, that definition already covers people like parents, guardians, teachers, and other caregivers — this bill would officially include camp staff in that same group.

The practical effect of this change is that camp staff would be held to the same legal standards and responsibilities as other adults entrusted with children's care. This likely means they would face legal accountability if they abuse or neglect a child in their care, and they may also be subject to mandatory reporting requirements — meaning they would be legally required to report suspected abuse or neglect they witness, just as teachers and other covered adults are.

This bill affects anyone who works at a youth day camp or residential camp in Rhode Island, as well as the children who attend those camps. Camp employers and organizations may also be impacted, as they would need to ensure their staff understand and comply with these legal responsibilities. The bill has been introduced and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee, meaning it is still in the early stages of the legislative process and has not yet become law.