Swearingen, Ohio House Pass Bill Helping Campground Owners and Workers

Today, State Rep. D.J. Swearingen’s (R-Huron) House Bill 229 passed within the Ohio House. The legislation supports Ohio tourism by protecting campground owners and workers from frivolous lawsuits. Swearingen spoke to the bill on the House floor.

“This bill will offer campground owners clarity in the law regarding liability for injuries to campers and hikers that are out of the owner’s control, which means that campground will know for sure that the uncontrollable environment surrounding camping, like bugs, plants, animals, terrain, and other parts of nature, will not be held against the owner and operators,” said Swearingen.

Swearingen made it clear that the legislation does not prevent campground owners and operators from being held responsible for any injuries or deaths if it happens as a direct result of negligence or purpose from the owner or operator. Specifically, this includes the upkeep of informative campground signs regarding warnings and dangers around the area.

Additionally, campground owners or operators are obligated to post a warning sign at each entrance of the premises to inform visitors that the owner and operator is not liable for harm resulting from inherent risks of camping.

“This will allow campground owners and operators to continue to invest in their livelihood without the fear of being sued for everything they own because of something that is beyond their control or foresight,” Swearingen added. “This will lead to campgrounds continuing to operate in the future and others to invest in campgrounds for the public to enjoy nature without this encumbering fear hanging over operators’ heads.”

The legislation recently passed out of committee after three hearings and had support from several organizations including the Ohio Campground Owners Association, NFIB and the Ohio Chamber, Long’s Retreat Family Resort, and Zoar Community Association.

Swearingen introduced an identical bill during the last General Assembly under House Bill 355, which also passed within the Ohio House.

House Bill 229 has many cosponsors within the House and now heads to the Senate for further consideration. 

To watch Swearingen’s House floor speech, view it here.