MOSCOW, December 29 (RAPSI) – Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a bill on organization of recreational services for children prioritizing safety measures for their life and health into law, according to the Kremlin’s official website.

The legislation clarifies and differentiates powers and responsibility regarding organization of recreation for children, along with its safety, between federal, regional and municipal authorities. New legislative initiative also introduces mandatory standards for tourist routes which involve children. Creation of special registry for organizations, specializing in recreation and health improvement for children, is also proposed by the bill.

In addition, the law introduces measures to provide tourist routes, including travel payments, for children in difficult life circumstances.

Russian society’s attention to organization of recreation for children was brought by tragedy at a lake in Karelia that resulted in deaths of children.

According to investigators, on June 18 children and instructors of the children’s camp “Park-Hotel “Syamozero” were sailing on a raft and two canoes over the lake Syamozero in Karelia. 47 children were accompanied by 4 adults who did not take gathering storm into account. Storm made sailing extremely dangerous: a raft with children and two adults washed up near one of the islands while both canoes were capsized, leaving passengers in the open waters. Only some managed to swim across to the shore. 14 children drowned. Other children survived and were evacuated.