Gov. Greg Abbott has taken legislative action to bolster the safety of summer camps across Texas, ensuring that the tragic circumstances leading to the creation of the new laws do not repeat themselves. Signing three key bills into law, Abbott emphasized the crucial responsibility camps bear in safeguarding the lives of children entrusted to their care. At a ceremony attended by politicians and families affected by camp-related tragedies, the primary legislation, known as the Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act, was highlighted alongside the Youth CAMPER Act and a third bill aimed to minimize flood risks.
"As camper parents, Cecilia and I know the powerful role that camps can play in the lives of our children," Abbott said. "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."
Under House Bill 1, also known as the Youth CAMPER Act, camps are now required to rigorously update their emergency plans annually, properly train staff, acclimate campers, inform parents of potential floodplain risks, and maintain open channels with local emergency services. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has been granted authority to enforce these new mandates. They're expected to conduct inspections, investigate complaints, and hold the power to suspend or deny licenses to non-compliant camps.
To even further tighten safety protocols, Senate Bill 1— also dubbed the Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act — erects a regulatory barrier to prevent DSHS from licensing any youth camp that sits within FEMA-designated floodplains, save for a few exceptions. This act demands annual emergency training and planning for camp staff, unveils an online registry of licensed youth camps for public perusal, and extends its safety standards ambitiously to include campgrounds and recreational vehicle parks as well.
The third piece of legislation, Senate Bill 3, foregrounds the provision of financial aid, laying out a grant program directed by the Office of the Governor to assist local governmental entities in installing early-warning sirens in regions vulnerable to flash-flooding. This move is designed to act as a preemptive measure against the sort of catastrophic events that have previously led to a loss of life and property in Texas.
Abbott, accompanied by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Senator Charles Perry, Representative Drew Darby, and other state officials, also met privately with the Heaven’s 27 families, signifying a gesture of ongoing support and the enduring importance of passing these regulations.
