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Does Ohio require background checks for camp staff?

The sections on background checks at day camps are quoted below, with the sentences that say which camps they do not apply to.

What does the statute say?

“No child day camp shall fail to comply with section 5104.013 of the Revised Code in regards to a person it appoints or employs.”

Ohio Revised Code 5104.211, Random sampling of child day camps to determine compliance with background checks, effective January 1, 2025 · codes.ohio.gov

“The director of children and youth may periodically conduct a random sampling of child day camps to determine compliance with section 5104.013 of the Revised Code.”

Ohio Revised Code 5104.211, Random sampling of child day camps to determine compliance with background checks, effective January 1, 2025 · codes.ohio.gov

What must a registered day camp request?

“All applicants, employees and child day camp staff members of the registered child day camp, including child day camp administrators and child day camp owners, are to request a bureau of criminal investigation (BCI) and a federal bureau of investigation (FBI) criminal records check pursuant to section 5104.013 of the Revised Code.”

Ohio Administrative Code 5180:2-18-02, Requirements for registered child day camps, effective April 27, 2023 · codes.ohio.gov

How often: The request is to be made at the time of initial application for employment, and every five years thereafter. (codes.ohio.gov, effective April 27, 2023)

Can someone work before the result comes back?

The rule for registered day camps: A registered child day camp may employ an applicant, or continue to employ a child day camp staff member, an employee, and/or a child day camp administrator, until the criminal records check is completed and the camp receives the result of the check. (codes.ohio.gov, effective April 27, 2023) The camp is not to grant the individual sole responsibility for the care, custody or control of a child until the results of the criminal records check have been reviewed and it is determined that the individual is eligible for employment. (codes.ohio.gov, effective April 27, 2023)

A question that follows from that rule: is anyone working with my child whose check has not come back, and are they ever alone with a group?

What is checked at an approved day camp?

The rule lists five kinds of record:

And on volunteers: Background checks are not required for volunteers and visitors. (codes.ohio.gov, effective July 1, 2026)

What can the state do about a camp that does not comply?

From the statute. On a penalty, the director shall: Consider imposing a civil penalty on the camp in an amount that shall not exceed ten per cent of the camp's gross revenues for the full month immediately preceding the month in which the violation occurred. (codes.ohio.gov, effective January 1, 2025) On a notice: the director may post a notice at a prominent place at the camp that states that the camp has failed to conduct criminal records checks of its appointees or employees as required by section 5104.013 of the Revised Code. (codes.ohio.gov, effective January 1, 2025) On a list: The director may include on the web site of the department of children and youth a list of child day camps that the director has determined to not be in compliance with the criminal records check requirements of section 5104.013 of the Revised Code. (codes.ohio.gov, effective January 1, 2025)

The statute’s word is “may”. We could not read the department’s website, so we can’t tell you whether such a list is published.

Which camps do these sections not apply to?

What should you ask?

Our suggestions: who is checked, including volunteers and teenage counselors? Which checks, and how recently? Is anyone on staff before their result is back? Is my child ever alone with one adult? Ask for the answers in writing and follow up on anything unclear.

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