Governor Greg Abbott has signed three new bills into law aimed at improving safety at Texas summer camps and enhancing flood preparedness across the state. The signing took place at the Governor’s Mansion, with Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Senator Charles Perry, Representative Drew Darby, families affected by camp tragedies, and other state officials in attendance.
“As camper parents, Cecilia and I know the powerful role that camps can play in the lives of our children,” said Governor Abbott. “We know the anxious anticipation to see your child again after dropping her off at camp. Every child who goes to camp should come home to their families, and no parent should ever have to outlive their child or endure this kind of loss. Today we are doing more than just changing campgrounds in Texas, we are changing the future for our children.”
The legislation includes House Bill 1 (the Youth CAMPER Act), Senate Bill 1 (the Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act), and Senate Bill 3. These measures introduce new requirements for youth camps such as installing emergency systems, conducting staff training on evacuation procedures, establishing a Youth Camp Safety team, and updating emergency plans annually.
House Bill 1 mandates that youth camps must develop and update emergency plans each year, train staff members, inform campers about safety protocols, notify parents if camps are located in flood-prone areas with signed acknowledgment forms, and share these plans with local emergency services. The Department of State Health Services is given authority to enforce these rules through inspections and licensing actions.
Senate Bill 1 prohibits the licensing of youth camps with cabins located in FEMA-designated floodplains except under certain conditions. It also requires annual emergency training and planning for camps, creates an online registry of licensed youth camps for public access, and extends safety standards to include campgrounds and recreational vehicle parks.
Senate Bill 3 establishes a grant program managed by the Office of the Governor to help local governments install early-warning sirens in areas susceptible to flash flooding.
Governor Abbott emphasized during his remarks that these laws aim to protect children attending summer camps in Texas by ensuring higher safety standards and better preparation for emergencies. After the event, he and First Lady Cecilia Abbott met privately with families impacted by past incidents at Texas camps.
