SARANAC LAKE — A common-sense bill, as described by the office of Assemblyman Billy Jones, D-Chateaugay, awaits Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s signature before becoming law.

The bill hopes to reduce the risk of insect-transmitted diseases by clarifying past protocol for all summer camps, although for some camps the bill is considered unnecessary.

The bill will allow parents to give written permission to a summer camp, permitting their child to carry and apply insect repellent. Previously, a doctor’s written approval was required, which hindered and even barred some children’s access to insect repellent, according to Jones’ office.

“The regulation caused confusion, which we’re confident is addressed by the legislation,” said state Sen. Betty Little, R-Queensbury.

Many, if not all, camps are situated near forests and tall grass now crawling with possibly infected insects. The tick — an arachnid, not an insect — has increased in population over the years in the North Country, according to Paul Smith’s College research led by Dr. Lee Ann Sporn.

After parents and camp directors reached out to Jones and Little, the politicians went to work on passing the bill.

Two organizations that represent summer camps across the state spoke out in agreement with the senator’s and assemblyman’s actions. Dina Altoonian, executive director of the New York State Camp Director Association, and Susie Lupert, executive director of the American Camp Association N.Y./N.J., voiced their approval in official statements.

“It is essential that our ACA accredited camps, which are some of the safest in the country, are held to the same standard as New York’s neighboring states,” said Lupert.

Altoonian cited the rising fear of ticks as a motivation for change, and likened the necessity of insect repellent to one’s need for sunblock.

Not all camps, however, will be impacted by this bill.

According to Director Casey Sukeforth, campers of 4-H Camp Overlook are required to provide a doctor’s written approval with their medical forms before they attend camp. In a state meeting in Ithaca for 4-H camps, camp directors briefly went over the bill, but similar provisions in other 4-H camp medical forms kept the discussion brief, according to Sukeforth.

Director Michael Humes of Camp Regis-Applejack also sees no change to the camp’s policy necessary. According to Humes, the extensive medical forms required of every camper satisfies all requirements. He also insisted that his staff never aids in the application of insect repellent; the kids do it all themselves.