The Peru Gazette

The bill has been sponsored by Senator Betty Little for numerous years at the request of the Campground Owners of New York (CONY). Assemblyman Billy Jones sponsored the companion bill in his house, which passed the Assembly on Tuesday.

“This legislation identifies the reasons, or grounds, for why a person could be removed from a campground and a clear course of how an owner and law enforcement would proceed if necessary,” said Senator Little. “It provides legal parameters and would bring campgrounds in line with what can be done at hotels and motels when guests become disruptive and a threat to other guests.”

“Campgrounds should be fun and welcoming spaces where people are able to get out in nature and explore,” Jones said. “But it’s important that visitors respect the shared space and their fellow campers. It can be a lengthy and drawn-out process to remove campers who are unruly, overstay their reservation or fail to pay. We crafted this legislation to make this process easier and ensure all parties are treated fairly.”

Under the proposed law, a campground owner could request a law enforcement officer remove a guest who willfully denies other guests their right to quiet enjoyment of the campground. This would include threatening or endangering other guests, possessing illegal drugs, violating state or local laws or violating campground rules and regulations that are posted and part of the occupancy agreement.

A guest would need to receive from the campground owner or staff a written warning first and could be removed by law enforcement if the conduct persisted. A person removed from a campground would be entitled to a refund of the unused portion of any prepaid fees.

The legislation also provides a clear and effective way to dispose of property that is left behind by a camper who is either removed from a campground or abandons property on a campground.

The legislation will be sent to Governor Andrew Cuomo for final consideration.