North Carolina 2025 Session Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 8 D · 1 R cosponsors

SB 945 — Safe Camps Act.

Last action — Passed 1st Reading

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced April 29, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the Senate.

Prognosis

Advancing 42% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Low

How often bills like it became law.

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 9 sponsors

    1 primary, 8 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (8 D · 1 R) — cross-party backing.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

57 added · 58 removed

Plain-language change summary

In the updated version of Senate Bill 945, several sections have been refined for clarity and specificity regarding the operations and regulatory requirements of youth camps. Notably, the language surrounding emergency planning and compliance has been adjusted to emphasize the need for youth camp operators to adhere to currently approved emergency plans. These changes matter because they aim to ensure that safety and health standards remain a priority in camp operations, protecting both campers and staff.

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FILED SENATE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA Apr 29, 2026 S.B.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2025 S 1 SENATE BILL 945 Short Title:
945 SESSION 2025 PRINCIPAL CLERK S D SENATE BILL DRS35418-MHa-141 Short Title:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A YOUTH CAMP PERMITTING AND SAFETY PROGRAM;
Rules and Operations of the Senate April 30, 2026 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A YOUTH CAMP PERMITTING AND SAFETY PROGRAM;
– A facility or property, not licensed under Article 7 of Chapter 110 of the General Statutes, that provides structured recreational, athletic, *DRS35418-MHa-141* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 religious, or educational activities to minors for four or more consecutive days, including residential, primitive, and day camps.
– A facility or property, not licensed under Article 7 of Chapter 110 of the General Statutes, that provides structured recreational, athletic, *S945-v-1* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 religious, or educational activities to minors for four or more consecutive days, including residential, primitive, and day camps.
130A-514 to operate the day camp and is not subject to the requirements of this Part or rules adopted under this Part.
130A-514 to operate the daycamp and is not subject to the requirements of this Part or rules adopted under this Part.
(c) ReligiousTraining;NoRegulationofDoctrine.–ConsistentwithG.S.
(c) ReligiousTraining;NoRegulationofDoctrine.
110-106(b)(4), nothing in this Article shall be construed to authorize the Department, the Commission, or a local health department to regulate or otherwise interfere with religious doctrine, religious instruction, worship, curriculum, or internal church governance.
–ConsistentwithG.S.
110-106(b)(4), nothingin this Article shall be construed to authorize the Department, the Commission, or a local health department to regulate or otherwise interfere with religious doctrine, religious instruction, worship, curriculum, or internal church governance.
– Any inspection or request for records by the Department or a local health department under this Article of a facility described in subsection (a) of this section shall be limited to matters reasonably necessary to determine compliance with G.S.
– Any inspection or request for records by the Department or a local health department under this Article of a facility described in subsection (a) of this section shall be limited to matters reasonablynecessaryto determine compliance with G.S.
During the period the current permit remains in effect under this subsection, the youth camp operator shall comply with the most recent emergency plan approved under G.S.
During the period the current permit remains in effect under this subsection, the youth camp operator shall comply with the most recent emergencyplan approved under G.S.
Page 2 DRS35418-MHa-141 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (3) Completes any renovation to an existing cabin on the premises of the camp that does either of the following:
Page 2 Senate Bill 945-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (3) Completes any renovation to an existing cabin on the premises of the camp that does either of the following:
Such rules may create subclasses of camps, including day camps, residential camps, and primitive experience camps, and shall address sanitation, potable water and wastewater, food service, lodging, aquatic safety, emergency planning and communications, staffing qualifications and ratios, incident reporting, record keeping, inspections, and related matters.
Such rules may create subclasses of camps, including day camps, residential camps, and primitive experience camps, and shall address sanitation, potable water and wastewater, food service, lodging, aquatic safety, emergencyplanning and communications, staffing qualifications and ratios, incident reporting, record keeping, inspections, and related matters.
– Nothing in this Part limits the applicability of other State health and safety laws or rules concerning food service, lodging and sanitation, public swimming pools and bathing places, onsitewastewatersystems, communicabledisease control, orrelatedmatters.The Department shall, to the extent practicable, coordinate inspections and enforcement under this Part with those programs to minimize duplication and burden on regulated entities.
– Nothing in this Part limits the applicability of other State health and safety laws or rules concerning food service, lodging and sanitation, public swimming pools and bathingplaces, onsitewastewatersystems, communicabledisease control, orrelated matters.The Department shall, to the extent practicable, coordinate inspections and enforcement under this Part with those programs to minimize duplication and burden on regulated entities.
The rules may require certification of the DRS35418-MHa-141 Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 delineation by a professional engineer licensed to practice in this State or by another qualified professional as determined by rule.
The rules may require certification of the Senate Bill 945-First Edition Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 delineation by a professional engineer licensed to practice in this State or by another qualified professional as determined by rule.
(1) Advise the Department and the Commission on rulemaking under this Part related to emergency planning, warning and communications capabilities, and flood hazards.
(1) Advise the Department and the Commission on rulemaking under this Part related to emergencyplanning, warningand communications capabilities, and flood hazards.
(4) Recommend methods to prioritize oversight, training, and audits based on risk factorssuch asfloodhazards,proximitytowatercourses,campercapacity,and remoteness.
(4) Recommend methods to prioritize oversight, training, and audits based on risk factorssuch asfloodhazards,proximityto watercourses,campercapacity,and remoteness.
Page 4 DRS35418-MHa-141 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (6) Develop and recommend to the Commission and the Department proposed minimum statewide standards for youth camp health and safety for adoption by rule under this Part.
Page 4 Senate Bill 945-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (6) Develop and recommend to the Commission and the Department proposed minimum statewide standards for youth camp health and safety for adoption by rule under this Part.
(b) Completeness Review.– Within 10business daysaftersubmission to theDepartment, through the Department's electronic submission process, of (i) an application under this section or (ii) an emergency plan under G.S.
(b) Completeness Review.
– Within 10business days aftersubmission to theDepartment, through the Department's electronic submission process, of (i) an application under this section or (ii) an emergency plan under G.S.
(c) Collection;Allocation;Remittance;LocalUse.–TheDepartmentshallcollectallfees assessed under subsection (a) of this section.
(c) Collection;Allocation;Remittance;
Twenty percent (20%) of each fee collected under this section (the State share) shall be credited to the Youth Camp Oversight Fund established in DRS35418-MHa-141 Page 5 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 subsection (d) of this section.
LocalUse.
Eighty percent (80%) of each fee collected under this section (the local share) shall be remitted to the local health department having jurisdiction over the youth camp to support inspections and enforcement under this Part, in the manner and at intervals prescribed by the Department.
–TheDepartmentshallcollectall fees assessed under subsection (a) of this section.
Twenty percent (20%) of each fee collected under this section (the State share) shall be credited to the Youth Camp Oversight Fund established in Senate Bill 945-First Edition Page 5 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 subsection (d) of this section.
Eighty percent (80%) of each fee collected under this section (the local share) shall be remitted to the local health department having jurisdiction over the youth camp to support inspections and enforcement under this Part, in the manner and at intervals prescribed bythe Department.
– The Youth Camp Oversight Fund is established as a special, nonreverting fundwithin theDepartment.
– The Youth Camp Oversight Fund is established as a special, nonrevertingfund within theDepartment.
Funds in theFundshall beused only to support implementation ofthis Part,including statewide rulemaking,oversight, training, audits, technical assistance, and data systems.
Funds in theFund shall beusedonlyto support implementation ofthis Part,including statewide rulemaking, oversight, training, audits, technical assistance, and data systems.
130A-23,suspendapermitofayouth camp that fails to pay the required fee within 60 days after billing by the Department.
130A-23,suspendapermitofa youth camp that fails to pay the required fee within 60 days after billing by the Department.
The ladder shall meet minimum standards established by Page 6 DRS35418-MHa-141 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 rule.
The ladder shall meet minimum standards established by Page 6 Senate Bill 945-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 rule.
130A-513 shall not use, for lodging or sleeping by campers, any cabin located wholly or partially within a floodplain unless the facility demonstrates, in the form and manner prescribed by the Department and as specified by rule, that at least one of the conditions in subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (b) of this section applies for each such cabin and installs and maintains an emergency ladder meeting the minimum standards established by rule pursuant to subsection (c) of this section for each such cabin.
130A-513 shall not use, for lodging or sleeping by campers, any cabin located wholly or partially within a floodplain unless the facility demonstrates, in the form and manner prescribed by the Department and as specified by rule, that at least one of the conditions in subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (b) of this section applies for each such cabin and installs and maintains an emergency ladder meeting the minimum standards established byrule pursuant to subsection (c) of this section for each such cabin.
(a) Emergency Plan.
(a) EmergencyPlan.
DRS35418-MHa-141 Page 7 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 c.
Senate Bill 945-First Edition Page 7 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 c.
– The emergency plan shall identify objective triggers for activating the procedures required by subsection (a) of this section, which shall include (i) issuance by the National Weather Service of a tornado warning, flash flood warning, or flood warning for the area of the camp and (ii) issuance of an evacuation order, shelter in place order, or other movement or shelter directive by the Governor or by a municipality or county with jurisdiction under Chapter 166A of the General Statutes, and may include site-specific indicators of an imminent hazard observable by camp staff.
– The emergency plan shall identify objective triggers for activating the procedures required by subsection (a) of this section, which shall include (i) issuance by the National Weather Service of a tornado warning, flash flood warning, or flood warning for the area of the camp and (ii) issuance of an evacuation order, shelter in place order, or other movement or shelter directive by the Governor or by a municipality or county with jurisdiction under Chapter 166A of the General Statutes, and mayinclude site-specific indicators of an imminent hazard observable by camp staff.
130A-513 shall submit the emergency plan required by this section to the Department annually, and before beginning operation of the day camp in each calendar year, in the form and manner prescribed by the Department, including through any Department-administered electronic system.
130A-513 shall submit the emergencyplan required bythis section to the Department annually, and before beginning operation of the day camp in each calendar year, in the form and manner prescribed by the Department, including through any Department-administered electronic system.
Page 8 DRS35418-MHa-141 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (2) Department action.
Page 8 Senate Bill 945-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (2) Department action.
130A-513 shall provide a copy of the plan submitted under subdivision (f)(1) of this section to the county emergency management coordinator, or the coordinator's designee, and, if applicable, to the municipal emergency management coordinator, or the coordinator's designee, not later than 10 business days after submission and shall provide updated copies not later than 10 business days after any resubmission under subdivision (f)(3) of this section.
130A-513 shall provide a copy of the plan submitted under subdivision (f)(1) of this section to the county emergencymanagement coordinator, or the coordinator's designee, and, if applicable, to the municipal emergency management coordinator, or the coordinator's designee, not later than 10 business days after submission and shall provide updated copies not later than 10 business days after any resubmission under subdivision (f)(3) of this section.
166A-19.15(d) with jurisdiction over the youth camp's location, delivery to the coordinator, or the coordinator's designee, of the joint agency satisfies subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection.
166A-19.15(d) with jurisdiction over the youth camp's location, deliveryto the coordinator, or the coordinator's designee, of the joint agency satisfies subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection.
DRS35418-MHa-141 Page 9 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (j) Parent Notice.
Senate Bill 945-First Edition Page 9 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (j) Parent Notice.
(k) Camper Safety Orientation.
(k) Camper SafetyOrientation.
(1) Notify each camper of the camp's boundaries and hazards present on the camp premises.
(1) Notifyeach camper of the camp's boundaries and hazards present on the camp premises.
– Before a youth camp staff member or volunteer begins duties that involve supervising campers, and at least annually thereafter, a youth camp operator shall do all of the following:
– Before a youth camp staff member or volunteer begins duties that involve supervising campers, and at least annuallythereafter, a youth camp operator shall do all of the following:
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The plan may be disclosed only to the extent necessary to administer this section and for emergency management, public health, or law enforcement purposes.
The plan maybe disclosed onlyto the extent necessary to administer this section and for emergency management, public health, or law enforcement purposes.
The local health department Page 10 DRS35418-MHa-141 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 shall submit to the Department an inspection report in the form and manner prescribed by the Department.
The local health department Page 10 Senate Bill 945-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 shall submit to the Department an inspection report in the form and manner prescribed by the Department.
– The Secretary and a local health director shall have the right of entry upon the premises where entry is necessary to enforce this Chapter or rules adopted by the Commission or a local board of health, as set out in G.S.
– The Secretaryand a local health director shall have the right of entry upon the premises where entry is necessary to enforce this Chapter or rules adopted by the Commission or a local board of health, as set out in G.S.
The local health department shall notify the Department of enforcement actions taken under this subsection in the form and manner prescribed by the Department.
The local health department shall notifythe Department of enforcement actions taken under this subsection in the form and manner prescribed by the Department.
By October 1 each year, the Department shall publish a summary of receipts and expenditures from the Youth Camp Oversight Fund for the prior fiscal year.
ByOctober 1 each year, the Department shall publish a summary of receipts and expenditures from the Youth Camp Oversight Fund for the prior fiscal year.
– A person or governmental entity that owns, operates, controls, or supervises a campground, regardless of profit status.
– A person or governmental entitythat owns, operates, controls, or supervises a campground, regardless of profit status.
DRS35418-MHa-141 Page 11 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (b) Implementation Trigger.
Senate Bill 945-First Edition Page 11 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (b) Implementation Trigger.
166A-19.15(d) with jurisdiction over the campground's location, delivery to the coordinator, or the coordinator's designee, of the joint agency satisfies subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection.
166A-19.15(d) with jurisdiction over the campground's location, deliveryto the coordinator, or the coordinator's designee, of the joint agency satisfies subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection.
– The Commission for Public Health may adopt rules necessary to implement this Part.Rulesadoptedunderthis Part shall not conflict with the North Carolina State Building Code, including the Fire Code, and the Commission shall consult with the Building Code Council and the Office of the State Fire Marshal in developing such rules.
– The Commission for Public Health may adopt rules necessary to implement this Part.
Rulesadoptedunderthis Part shall not conflict with the North Carolina State Building Code, including the Fire Code, and the Commission shall consult with the Building Code Council and the Office of the State Fire Marshal in developing such rules.
In determining the amount of the penalty, the assessing official shall consider factors, Page 12 DRS35418-MHa-141 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 including the degree of risk to public health and safety, the duration and gravity of the violation, corrective actions, prior record, and costs to the State and county of enforcement." SECTION 2.
In determining the amount of the penalty, the assessing official shall consider factors, Page 12 Senate Bill 945-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 including the degree of risk to public health and safety, the duration and gravity of the violation, corrective actions, prior record, and costs to the State and county of enforcement." SECTION 2.
130A-514 does not substitute for any permit required by this section or by other law for food service establishments or lodging establishments or for any publicswimmingpooloronsitewastewatersystem regulatedelsewhereinthisChapter;however, inspections may be scheduled and documented on a consolidated basis using standardized forms prescribed by the Department." SECTION 3.(a) Rulemaking Authority.
130A-514 does not substitute for any permit required by this section or by other law for food service establishments or lodging establishments or for any publicswimmingpooloronsitewastewatersystemregulatedelsewhereinthisChapter;however, inspections may be scheduled and documented on a consolidated basis using standardized forms prescribed by the Department." SECTION 3.(a) Rulemaking Authority.
– The Commission shall amend its rules, as necessary, to conform to the provisions of this act, including rules governing summer camps, resident camps, and primitive experience camps, to recognize the Department as the permitting authority under G.S.
– The Commission shall amend its rules, as necessary, to conform to the provisions of this act, including rules governing summer camps, resident camps, and primitive experience camps, to recognize the Department as the permitting authorityunder G.S.
(2) Establish the database required by G.S.
(2) Establish the database required byG.S.
130A-522(f), a youth camp operator or a facility described in G.S.
130A-522(f), a youth camp operator or a facilitydescribed in G.S.
On and after that date, emergency plans shall be submitted in the form and manner prescribed by the Department and in accordance with G.S.
On and after that date, emergency plans shall be submitted in the form and manner prescribed bythe Department and in accordance with G.S.
DRS35418-MHa-141 Page 13 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (2) Temporary bridge for emergency plan approval.
Senate Bill 945-First Edition Page 13 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (2) Temporary bridge for emergency plan approval.
– On and after January 1, 2028, the Department shall not issue or renew a permit unless the emergency plan has been approved in accordance with G.S.
– On and after January 1, 2028, the Department shall not issue or renew a permit unless the emergencyplan has been approved in accordance with G.S.
Page 14 DRS35418-MHa-141
Page 14 Senate Bill 945-First Edition
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How this bill changes current law

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Compared against the N.C. General Statutes as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill establishes a safety program for youth camps, adding definitions and permitting requirements while addressing regulations specific to religious child care facilities operating day camps.

  • G.S. 110-106

    Religious sponsored child care facilities shall file with the Department a notice of intent to operate a child care facility... → Notwithstanding G.S. 110-106(b)(4), a religious sponsored child care facility operating pursuant to G.S. 110-106 that operates a day camp, as defined in G.S. 130A-512(3), shall comply with G.S. 130A-520(d) and G.S. 130A-522 with respect to that day camp.

    Religious sponsored child care facilities must comply with new safety regulations when operating day camps.

  • G.S. 130A-512

    The following definitions apply in this Part: (1) Cabin. – A structure used to provide temporary sleeping quarters for campers. (2) Camper. – A minor attending a youth camp on a day or residential basis. (3) Day camp. – A youth camp that operates during any portion of the day between 7:00 A.M. and 10:00 P.M. for a period of four or more consecutive days and that provides no more than two incidental overnight stays per camp session.

    Definitions for youth camps, including 'cabin', 'camper', and 'day camp', are established.

  • G.S. 130A-514

    Except as provided in G.S. 130A-513, no person shall operate a youth camp without a permit issued annually by the Department.

    A permitting process is established for youth camps to ensure compliance with safety standards.

  • G.S. 130A-515

    The Department shall oversee implementation of this Part and shall provide standardized forms, technical assistance, data systems, and program audits.

    The Department gains oversight responsibilities for youth camp safety programs.

  • G.S. 130A-520

    A youth camp operator shall ensure that the camp has an emergency plan and that all staff are trained in emergency procedures.

    New emergency planning requirements are mandated for youth camps.

Action History

  1. Passed 1st Reading

  2. Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

  3. Withdrawn From Com

  4. Re-ref Com On Appropriations/Base Budget

  5. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 8 co-sponsors · 170 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (8)

Not signed on (170)

170 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 945?
SB 945 is sponsored by Joyce Waddell (Democratic), Caleb Theodros (Democratic), DeAndrea Salvador (Democratic), Natalie S. Murdock (Democratic), Mujtaba A. Mohammed (Democratic), Gale Adcock (Democratic), Sophia Chitlik (Democratic), Vickie Sawyer (Republican), and Kandie D. Smith (Democratic).
What is the current status of SB 945?
This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced April 29, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
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