HB 1 — Relating to youth camp emergency plans and preparedness; authorizing penalties.

SECTIONA7.AASectionSECTION 141.009,A5.AAChapter 141, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Sections 141.0071, 141.0081, 141.0091, 141.0092, H.B.ANo.A1 141.0093, and 141.0094 to read as follows:

A141.009.AASTANDARDS.AA(a)A141.0071.AAADDITIONAL TheINSPECTION executiveREQUIRED; commissioner by rule shall establish health and safety standards for youth camps.

The standards may relate to:

(1)AAadequate and proper supervision at all times of camp activities;

(2)AAqualifications for directors, supervisors, and staff and sufficient numbers of those persons;

(3)AAproper safeguards for sanitation and public health;

(4)AAadequate medical services for personal health and first aid;

(5)AAproper procedures for food preparation, handling, and mass feeding;

(6)AAhealthful and sufficient water supply;

(7)AAproper waste disposal;

H.B.ANo.A1 (8)AAproper water safety procedures for swimming pools, lakes, and waterways;

(9)AAsafe boating equipment;

(10)AAproper maintenance and safe use of motor vehicles;

(11)AAsafe buildings and physical facilities;

(12)AAproper fire precautions;

(13)AAsafe and proper recreational and other equipment;

(14)AAproper regard for density and use of the premises;

and (15)AArecords of criminal convictions of camp personnel.

(b) AAIn establishing health and safety standards under Subsection (a), the executive commissioner by rule shall require a youth camp to:

(1)AApost on or near all interior doors of each camp building that provides overnight accommodations to campers, at a height easily visible to campers and camp staff, an emergency evacuation and relocation map identifying:

(A)AAthe shortest and easiest route for campers and camp staff from the building to a safe meeting point that provides shelter in an emergency;

(B)AAan alternative route from the building to the meeting point in the event the route described by Paragraph (A) is unavailable due to the emergency;

and (C)AAthe location of emergency equipment;

and (2)AAprovide instruction to all campers and camp staff H.B.ANo.A1 before the first overnight stay of a camping session on:

(A)AAthe routes to the camp s safe meeting point;

(B)AAthe location of the camp s emergency equipment;

(C)AAthe location of the camp s emergency evacuation and relocation maps;

and (D)AAimplementation and use of the emergency evacuation and relocation maps.

SECTION A8.AAChapter 141, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Subchapter C to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER C.

RESIDENT YOUTH CAMP SAFETY Sec.A141.051.AASHORT TITLE.

This subchapter may be cited as the Youth Camp Alert, Mitigation, Preparedness, and Emergency Response (Youth CAMPER) Act.

Sec.A141.052.AADEFINITIONS.

In this subchapter:

(1)AA"Emergency plan" means the written emergency plan required under Section 141.053.

(2)AA"Team" means the Resident Youth Camp Safety Multidisciplinary Team established under Section 141.057.

Sec.

A141.053.AAEMERGENCY PLAN FOR RESIDENT YOUTH CAMP;

STANDARDS;

REQUIRED TRAINING;

NOTIFICATION.

(a) For each resident youth camp, the resident youth camp operator shall develop and implement a written emergency plan with procedures for responding to an emergency event, including:

(1)AAa natural disaster;

(2)AAa lost camper;

(3)AAa fire;

H.B.ANo.A1 (4)AAa transportation emergency;

(5)AAa severe illness;

(6)AAan epidemic;

(7)AAa severe injury;

(8)AAa serious accident;

(9)AAa fatality;

(10)AAan unauthorized or unknown individual present on the camp’s premises;

(11)AAan aquatic emergency, if applicable;

and (12)AAany other emergency event prescribed by executive commissioner rule.

(b)AAThe resident youth camp operator shall designate an emergency preparedness supervisor for the resident youth camp and include the designation in the camp s emergency plan.

(c) AAThe resident youth camp operator shall:

(1)AAannually review the emergency plan and update the plan as necessary;

(2)AAannually submit the emergency plan to the department in the form and manner the department prescribes;

(3)AAmake the emergency plan approved by the department available to each camper and provide the plan to each parent or legal guardian of the camper;

(4)AAprovide to campers at the beginning of each camp session:

(A)AAdevelopmentally appropriate instruction regarding the actions the camper is to perform during an emergency event;

and H.B.ANo.A1 (B)AAthe name and contact information of the camp s designated emergency preparedness supervisor;

(5)AAprovide to the county or municipality in which the camp is primarily located and, if applicable, to the emergency services district that serves the county or municipality in which the camp is primarily located:

(A)AAa copy of the emergency plan;

and (B)AAa list of the campers, staff members, and volunteers occupying the camp during a camp session on or before the first day of the session;

(6)AAbefore the beginning of each camp session:

(A)AAprovide to each camp staff member and volunteer a copy of the camp s emergency plan and comprehensive training on the emergency plan that addresses each procedure included in the emergency plan as prescribed by executive commissioner rule;

(B)AAinstruct each camp staff member and volunteer on the procedures to follow during an emergency event;

and (C)AAmaintain in the camp’s on-site administrative office records documenting the successful completion by each camp staff member and volunteer of the training required by this subdivision;

and (7)AAfor a resident youth camp located wholly or partly within a floodplain, before the beginning of each camp session:

(A)AAprovide written notice to the parent or legal guardian of each camper of the camp’s location within the floodplain and the risk of flooding at the camp;

and H.B.ANo.A1 (B)AAensure the parent or legal guardian signs and submits to the operator a statement acknowledging receipt of the notice.

(d)AAThe emergency plan adopted under this section and the list of campers, staff members, and volunteers required to be provided under Subsection (c)(5) are confidential and not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552, Government Code.

(e)AAThe emergency plan developed under this section must comply with the minimum standards established by executive commissioner rule under Section 141.055 and must include specific procedures for campers, staff members, and volunteers of the resident youth camp to follow in an emergency event, including:

(1)AAsheltering in or evacuating from camp buildings and the camp;

(2)AAcontrolling vehicular traffic on the camp s premises;

and (3)AAnotifying and communicating with the following entities during the emergency event, as necessary:

(A)AAa local emergency medical services provider;

(B)AAthe municipal or volunteer fire department;

(C)AAthe county sheriff’ s office or municipal police department;

(D)AAthe office of emergency management of the county or municipality in which the resident youth camp is primarily located;

and (E)AAthe resident youth camp’ s administrative and medical services staff.

H.B.ANo.A1 (f)AAThe resident youth camp operator may coordinate with the office of emergency management of the county or municipality in which the resident youth camp is primarily located in developing the emergency plan under this section.

Sec.A141.054.AADEPARTMENT REJECTION OF EMERGENCY PLAN;

CORRECTIVE ACTION.

(a) If the department determines a resident youth camp ’s submitted emergency plan does not meet the minimum standards prescribed by executive commissioner rule under Section 141.055, the resident youth camp operator shall, in the form and manner prescribed by executive commissioner rule:

(1)AAnot later than the 10th day after the date the operator receives notice of the department ’s rejection, provide to the department a corrective action plan that details the actions the operator intends to perform to address each deficiency specified by the department in the camp’s emergency plan;

and (2)AAnot later than the 30th day after the date the operator receives notice of the department ’s rejection, revise and resubmit the camp s emergency plan.

(b) AAThe department may provide recommendations for the resident youth camp operator to implement in the operator s annual update to the emergency plan.

Sec.A141.055.AAADOPTION OF MINIMUM STANDARDS;

RULES.

The executive commissioner shall adopt rules to implement this subchapter.

The rules must specify:

(1)AAthe information required in an emergency plan, including:

(A)AAprocedures for addressing an emergency event H.B.ANo.A1 described by Section 141.053(a);

and (B)AAadditional measures or alterations to camp operations to be implemented during heightened emergency events, as determined by special weather or hazard announcements;

(2)AAthe minimum number of training hours required under Section 141.053(c)(6);

(3)AAthe form and manner for submitting an emergency plan to the department;

and (4)AAthe department s procedures for:

(A)AAdetermining whether an emergency plan meets the minimum standards prescribed by executive commissioner rule;

and (B)AAadditional inspections required under Section 141.056 to ensure compliance with the approved emergency plan.

Sec.A141.056.AAADDITIONAL INSPECTION REQUIRED;

(a) A resident youth camp operator shall include in a prominent place on the camp’syouth camp ’s publicly accessible Internet website a clearly marked link to the youth camp program web page on the department s Internet website for campers, parents, and camp staff and volunteers to use to report the camp ’s noncompliance with this subchapter.chapter.

(b) AAThe department shall investigate each complaint filed with the department for a resident youth camp to ensure the resident youth camp operator is properly implementing the camp ’ s approved emergency plan submitted as required under Section 141.0091 and the camp complies with this subchapter.chapter.

(c)(c)AAA AAA department investigation under this section must H.B.ANo.A1 include an inspection to ensure the resident youth camp’scamp ’s compliance with this subchapter.chapter.

Sec.A141.057.AARESIDENTSec.A141.0081.AAYOUTH YOUTH CAMP SAFETY MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM.

(a) The Resident Youth Camp Safety Multidisciplinary Team is created within the department and is composed of at least one representative from:

(3)AAthe Texas Department of Insurance State Fire Marshal’sMarshal s Office;

and H.B.ANo.A1 (7)AAthe Department of Public Safety.

(c)AAThe team shall meet regularly to develop proposed minimum standards for resident youth camps under this subchapter.chapter.

The team shall present the proposed minimum standards to the executive commissioner as recommendations for theadoption. minimum standards adopted under Section 141.055.

Sec.A141.0091.AAADDITIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY STANDARDS;

EMERGENCY PLAN.

(a) As part of the health and safety standards established under Section 141.009, the executive commissioner by rule shall make applicable to a youth camp the requirements of Chapter 762 in the same manner as those requirements apply to a campground under that chapter.

(b)AAThe executive commissioner by rule shall require a youth camp operator in the emergency plan the operator develops for a youth camp to:

(1)AAspecify muster zones for campers and camp staff to gather in an emergency event that requires evacuation from any location within the premises of the camp;

(2)AAestablish procedures for responding to an emergency event, other than an event addressed by Section 762.002, including:

(A)AAa lost camper;

(B)AAa fire on the premises of the camp;

(C)AAa severe injury, severe illness, serious accident, or death of one or more campers, visitors, camp staff, or camp volunteers that occurs:

H.B.ANo.A1 (i)AAon camp premises;

or (ii)AAwhile under the supervision of camp staff;

(D)AAan aquatic emergency if the camp borders a watercourse, lake, pond, or any other body of water;

(E)AAan epidemic;

(F)AAan unauthorized or unknown individual present on the camp’s premises;

(G)AAa transportation emergency;

and (H)AAany other natural disaster or emergency event required under department rules;

(3)AAestablish procedures to identify and account for each camper affected by the emergency event;

(4)AAestablish procedures to notify and communicate with:

(A)AAlocal emergency management services, including the emergency management director or coordinator designated under Section 418.1015, Government Code, by the political subdivision within which the camp is located;

(B)AAcamp administrative and medical services staff;

and (C)AAthe parents or legal guardians of each camper identified under Subdivision (3);

and (5)AAdesignate a camp emergency preparedness coordinator.

(c) AAThe executive commissioner by rule shall require a youth camp operator to, at each youth camp the operator operates:

H.B.ANo.A1 (1)AAmaintain an operable radio capable of providing real-time weather alerts issued by the National Weather Service or a similar professional weather service at the camp;

(2)AAinstall and maintain at the camp an emergency warning system that:

(A)AAis capable of alerting all campers and camp occupants of an emergency;

and (B)AAincludes a public address system operable without reliance on an Internet connection;

(3)AAmonitor safety alerts issued:

(A)AAby the National Weather Service or a similar professional weather service;

and (B)AAby local river authorities, if applicable to the camp, or through other local emergency notification systems;

and (4)AAcertify the operator’s compliance with this subsection.

(d)AAIn developing a youth camp ’ s emergency plan, a youth camp operator must annually submit the initial or updated plan to the department for approval in the form and manner the department prescribes.

(e)AAIf the department determines a youth camp ’ s submitted emergency plan does not meet the minimum standards prescribed by department rules, the youth camp operator shall revise and resubmit the plan not later than the 45th day after the date the operator receives notice from the department of the plan s deficiencies.

(f) AAA youth camp operator shall include any updated youth H.B.ANo.A1 camp emergency plan as an attachment to each application to renew the operator s license under Section 141.005.

(g) AANotwithstanding Section 762.002(c), not later than the 10th business day following the date the department approves a youth camp’s emergency plan or, if the department determines the plan is deficient under Subsection (e), the camp s revised emergency plan, the operator shall provide a copy of the plan to:

(1)AAfor a camp located in a municipality, the emergency management director or coordinator designated under Section 418.1015, Government Code, for the municipality;

and (2)AAthe emergency management director or coordinator designated under Section 418.1015, Government Code, for the county.

(h) AAIn developing a youth camp ’ s emergency plan, a youth camp operator may consult with an emergency management director or coordinator described by Subsection (g).

(i)AAThe department shall store in a digital database each emergency plan submitted to the department under this section or Section 762.002 and provide access to that database to:

(1)AAthe Texas Division of Emergency Management;

and (2)AAeach member of the Youth Camp Safety Multidisciplinary Team created under Section 141.0081.

(j)AAA youth camp operator shall:

(1)AAprovide the most recent version of a youth camp’ s emergency plan submitted under this section to the parent or legal guardian of:

(A)AAa camper who is participating in a camp session;

or H.B.ANo.A1 (B)AAa prospective camper who is registered to participate in a future camp session;

(2)AAnotify the parent or legal guardian of a camper or prospective camper described by Subdivision (1) if any area of the camp is located within a floodplain;

and (3)AAensure the parent or legal guardian signs and submits to the operator a statement acknowledging receipt of the notice required under Subdivision (2).

(k)AANot more than 48 hours after each youth camp session begins, the youth camp operator or a youth camp staff member shall conduct a mandatory safety orientation that:

(1)AAnotifies each camper of the camp ’s boundaries and any hazards present on the camp premises;

(2)AAinstructs each camper on behavioral expectations in an emergency event;

and (3)AAprovides each camper developmentally appropriate instruction on the appropriate actions and procedures to follow in an emergency event, in accordance with the camp ’ s emergency plan required under this section and Section 762.002.

(l) AAAt least once a year, a youth camp operator shall:

(1)AAprovide each youth camp staff member and volunteer with a copy of the camps most recent emergency plan;

(2)AAensure each staff member and volunteer successfully completes training on the camp ’s emergency plan in compliance with any minimum standards and required hours established by department rule;

(3)AAinstruct each staff member and volunteer on the H.B.ANo.A1 proper procedures to follow in an emergency event under the plan;

and (4)AAmaintain written records documenting each staff member’s and volunteer’ s successful completion of the training required under this subsection.

(m) AAA youth camp operator shall:

(1)AAconspicuously post in each cabin on the youth camp premises the proper evacuation route described in the youth camp ’s emergency plan;

and (2)AAensure each evacuation route on the camp premises is illuminated at night.

(n)AANotwithstanding Section 141.0025, the department shall not grant a waiver from a requirement prescribed under this section or Chapter 762.

(o)AAAn emergency plan submitted to, received by, or accessed by the department, the Texas Division of Emergency Management, an emergency management director or coordinator designated under Section 418.1015, Government Code, or any other governmental entity under this section is confidential and not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552, Government Code.

Sec.A141.0092.AAREDUNDANT INTERNET CONNECTIONS REQUIRED.

(a) In this section, "broadband service" has the meaning assigned by Section 490I.0101, Government Code.

(b) AAA youth camp operator shall provide and maintain for a youth camp:

(1)AAInternet services through a broadband service that connects to the Internet using end-to-end fiber optic facilities;

H.B.ANo.A1 and (2)AAa secondary Internet connection through a broadband service distinct from the service described under Subdivision (1).

Sec.A141.0093.AAREQUIRED NOTICE FOR MODIFICATION OF CERTAIN YOUTH CAMP STRUCTURES OR ACTIVITY LOCATIONS.

(a) A youth camp operator shall notify the department, in the form and manner prescribed by the department, of any modification to:

(1)AAa structure intended to facilitate youth camp activities;

or (2)AAthe location of a camp activity on the camp’s premises.

(b) AAOn receiving notification of a modification described by Subsection (a), the department may require the youth camp operator to update the youth camp ’ s emergency plan under Section 141.0091.

A141.058.AACIVILA141.0094.AADENIAL PENALTY.OR SUSPENSION OF LICENSE FOR NONCOMPLIANCE.

(a) The attorneydepartment generalshall maynot bringissue ana actionlicense toor imposerenew a civillicense penaltyfor against a resident youth camp operatorunder who violates this subchapterchapter orif athe ruleyouth adoptedcamp underoperator thisis subchapternot in ancompliance amountwith notSections to141.0091 exceedand $1,000141.0092 foror eacha violation.rule adopted under those sections.

H.B.ANo.A1(b) (b)AAEachAAThe daydepartment shall suspend a violationyouth continuescamp islicense consideredissued aby separatethe violationdepartment forif purposesthe ofcamp imposingor ayouth civilcamp penaltyoperator underis thisin section.violation of Section 141.0091 or 141.0092.

(c)AATheThe attorneydepartment general may recoverreinstate reasonablethe expenseslicense incurredonly inon bringingor anafter actionthe underdate thisthe section,department includingdetermines courtthe costs,camp reasonableand attorneythe ’soperator fees,are investigativein costs,compliance witnesswith fees,Sections 141.0091 and deposition141.0092. costs.

(d)AAAH.B.ANo.A1 civilSECTIONA6.AANotwithstanding penaltySection collected141.0081, underHealth thisand sectionSafety mustCode, beas remittedadded toby this Act, the departmentYouth Camp Safety Multidisciplinary Team is not required to offsethold departmentits costsfirst inmeeting administeringuntil thisSeptember subchapter.1, 2026.

Sec.A141.059.AADENIALSECTIONA7.AANot ORlater SUSPENSIONthan OFJanuary LICENSE1, FOR2026, NONCOMPLIANCE.the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall adopt the rules required by Section 141.0091, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.

(a)SECTIONA8.AANotwithstanding TheSection department141.0091, mayHealth notand issueSafety aCode, licenseas foradded aby residentthis Act, a youth camp underoperator Sectionis 141.004not orrequired renewto asubmit license for a resident youth camp underemergency Sectionplan 141.005to if the residentDepartment youthof campState operatorHealth isServices notuntil inApril compliance1, with2026. this subchapter or a rule adopted under this chapter.

(b)AATheSECTION departmentA9.AAThis shallAct suspendtakes aeffect residentimmediately youthif campit licensereceives issueda byvote theof departmenttwo-thirds ifof all the campmembers orelected residentto youtheach camphouse, operatoras isprovided inby violationSection of39, thisArticle subchapter.III, Texas Constitution.

The department may reinstate the license only on or after the date the department determines the resident youth camp and the resident youth camp operator are in compliance with this subchapter.

Sec.A141.060.AAWAIVER NOT PERMITTED.

Notwithstanding any other law, the department may not grant a waiver to a resident youth camp operator to exempt the operator from the requirements of this subchapter or penalties imposed under this subchapter.

Sec.

A141.061.AACONFLICT OF LAWS.

In the event of a conflict H.B.ANo.A1 between this subchapter and another provision of law relating to licensing and regulation of resident youth camps, this subchapter controls.

SECTIONA9.AANot later than March 1, 2026, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall adopt the rules required by Subchapter C, Chapter 141, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.

SECTIONA10.AANotwithstanding Subchapter C, Chapter 141, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, a resident youth camp operator is not required to submit an emergency plan to the Department of State Health Services until May 1, 2026.

SECTIONA11.AAAs soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall adopt rules necessary to implement Section 141.009, Health and Safety Code, as amended by this Act.

SECTIONA12.AA(a) The amount of $2,594,265 is appropriated from the economic stabilization fund for use during the two-year period beginning on the effective date of this Act, and the amount of $2,484,726 is appropriated from the general revenue fund for use during the state fiscal year beginning September 1, 2026, to the Department of State Health Services to implement the provisions of this legislation.AAThe department shall adjust the amount the department sets for license fees under Section 141.0035, Health and Safety Code, as necessary to recover the costs of the appropriations made under this subsection.

(b) AADuring the state fiscal biennium beginning September 1, 2025, the Department of State Health Services, in addition to the H.B.ANo.A1 capital budget authority other law grants to the department during that period, may use $500,000 in capital budget authority for the appropriations made by Subsection (a) of this section, if any.

(c)AADuring the state fiscal biennium beginning September 1, 2025, the Department of State Health Services, in addition to the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) employees other law authorizes the department to employ during that period, may employ 16.0 FTE employees out of money appropriated by Subsection (a) of this section, if any.

SECTIONA13.AA(a) Except as provided by Subsections (b) and (c) of this section, this Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.

(b)AASubjectH.B.ANo.A1 to______________________________ Subsection______________________________ (c)AAAAPresident of thisthe section,Senate SectionSpeaker 12 of this Act, making an appropriation to the DepartmentHouseAAAAAA ofI Statecertify Healththat Services,H.B. takes effect on the later of:

(1)AAtheNo. earliest date the section may take effect under Section 14, Article IV, Texas Constitution;

or1 (2)AASeptemberwas 1,passed 2025.by the House on August 21, 2025, by the following vote:

(c)AAYeas AASectionA12AAof135, thisNays Act1, takes1 effectpresent, onlynot ifvoting; this Act receives a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to each house.

15and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.

No.

1 on September 3, 2025, by the following vote:AAYeas 122, Nays 4, 1 present, not voting.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the HouseAAA I certify that H.B.

No.

1 was passed by the Senate, with amendments, on September 3, 2025, by the following vote:

AAYeas 26, Nays 0.

______________________________ Secretary of the SenateAAA APPROVED:

__________________ AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADateAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAA __________________ AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGovernorAAAAAAA 12