Legislation sponsored by State Sen. Betty Little R-Queensbury, that would provide legal guidance for the removal of disruptive guests from campgrounds passed the Senate Tuesday, May 17.

Little, who represents the 45th senate District, which includes the St. Lawrence County towns of Piercefield, Colton, Hopkinton, Clare, Parishville and Lawrence, and the entire counties of Franklin, Clinton, Essex, Warren and Washington, says hotels and motels have an eviction process, but campgrounds don’t.

“Although not a frequent occurrence, sometimes a bad actor can ruin the experience for other campers enjoying a nice time and the only resolution is removing that person from the property” Little said. “For everyone’s sake, it’s better to have a clear, legal process in place when that becomes necessary.”

Little said the legislation (S.1342) would add a new section to the Real Property Law to define campgrounds and campground owner and provide for the removal of persons from a campground who, among other things, creates a disturbance or violates a law.

The proposed law also would provide for the return of pre-paid fees and the disposal of property belonging of persons who are removed from a campground or abandon property on a campground.

A person remaining on the campground could be guilty of trespass and removed by law enforcement.

The legislation is supported by the Campground Owners of New York (CONY). A companion bill is sponsored by Assemblyman Steve Englebright of Long Island.