Governor Greg Abbott has signed three new bills aimed at increasing safety measures at Texas summer camps and improving protection against catastrophic flooding. The signing took place at the Governor’s Mansion, with several state officials and families 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.”
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Senator Charles Perry, Representative Drew Darby, members of the Heaven’s 27 families, and other state officials joined Governor Abbott for the event.
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 require camps to install emergency systems, train staff on evacuation procedures, establish a Youth Camp Safety team, and take further steps to protect children attending summer camps.
House Bill 1 requires youth camps to create and annually update emergency plans. Camps must also train staff on these plans, inform campers about safety procedures, notify parents if a camp is located in a floodplain with written acknowledgment required from parents, and share emergency plans with local authorities. The Department of State Health Services will enforce these requirements through inspections and can suspend or deny licenses if necessary.
Senate Bill 1 prevents DSHS from licensing youth camps with cabins in FEMA-designated floodplains except under limited circumstances. It also requires annual emergency training for camp staff, creates an online registry of licensed youth camps accessible to the public, and extends safety standards to cover both campgrounds and recreational vehicle parks.
Senate Bill 3 establishes a grant program managed by the Office of the Governor that provides funding for cities and counties to install early-warning sirens in areas susceptible to flash-flooding.
Following the bill signing ceremony, Governor Abbott and First Lady Cecilia Abbott met privately with families affected by past tragedies at summer camps.
