Governor Abbott Signs Texas Summer Camp Safety Bills Into Law
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~ In a move to enhance safety measures at Texas summer camps and better protect Texans from catastrophic flooding events, Governor Greg Abbott signed three bills into law today at the Governor's Mansion. The bills, House Bill 1 (the Youth CAMPER Act), Senate Bill 1 (the Heaven's 27 Camp Safety Act), and Senate Bill 3, aim to ensure the safety of children at camps and provide support for communities prone to flash-flooding.

Joined by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Senator Charles Perry, Representative Drew Darby, and other state officials, Governor Abbott emphasized the importance of these bills in his remarks. He acknowledged the powerful role that camps play in the lives of children and expressed his commitment to ensuring that every child who goes to camp returns home safely.

The Heaven's 27 Camp Safety Act and the CAMPER Act require camps to have emergency systems in place, train staff on evacuation procedures, and establish a Youth Camp Safety team. These measures are aimed at preventing tragedies like the one that occurred at Heaven's 27 camp in 2019 when ten people lost their lives due to flash-flooding.

Governor Abbott also met with families who lost loved ones at Heaven's 27 camp privately after the signing ceremony. He offered his continued support and expressed his hope that these new laws will prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future.

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House Bill 1, also known as the Youth Camp Alert, Mitigation, Preparedness, and Emergency Response (Youth CAMPER) Act, requires youth camps to have emergency plans in place and update them annually. It also mandates staff training on emergency procedures and requires camps to inform parents of any floodplain risks with a signed acknowledgment. The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has been given authority to enforce compliance through inspections and license suspension or denial.

Senate Bill 1 prohibits DSHS from licensing youth camps with cabins in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)-designated floodplains, with a few exceptions. It also requires annual emergency training and planning and creates an online registry of licensed youth camps. Additionally, the bill extends safety standards to campgrounds and recreational vehicle parks.

Senate Bill 3 creates a grant program at the Office of the Governor to provide financial support for the installation of early-warning sirens in areas prone to flash-flooding. This measure aims to improve warning systems and help communities prepare for potential disasters.

The signing of these bills marks a significant step towards ensuring the safety of children at summer camps in Texas. With these new laws in place, Governor Abbott hopes that no parent will ever have to endure the loss of their child due to preventable tragedies at summer camps.

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