Texas moves to strengthen camp and flood safety with new laws signed by Governor Abbott

In a solemn yet hopeful ceremony at the Governor’s Mansion, Governor Greg Abbott signed into law three sweeping measures aimed at improving safety standards at youth camps and enhancing protections against flash flooding across Texas.

The legislation, passed during the second special session of the Texas Legislature, comes in direct response to the deadly July 4 flooding that devastated Central Texas and claimed more than 130 lives, including 27 children and counselors at Camp Mystic in the Hill Country. Families of those lost — who had pressed lawmakers for reforms to prevent similar tragedies — stood behind Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, and bill sponsors Senator Charles Perry and Representative Drew Darby as the bills were enacted.

“As camper parents, Cecilia and I know the powerful role that camps can play in the lives of our children,” Abbott said, reflecting on both the joy and the risks of summer camps. “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.”

Tearful applause filled the mansion lawn as Abbott signed House Bill 1 — the Youth CAMPER Act, Senate Bill 1 — the Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act, and Senate Bill 3, which creates a flood warning siren grant program.

Remembering “Heaven’s 27”

The July 4 floods were among the deadliest in recent Texas history, hitting camps, river communities, and rural towns with sudden force. Camp Mystic, a long-established Hill Country summer camp, was overwhelmed when floodwaters surged through the Guadalupe River basin. Dozens of children, counselors, and staff were swept away despite desperate rescue efforts.

The tragedy became known as “Heaven’s 27” — honoring the 27 campers and counselors who perished.

“These parents came right here to the Governor’s Mansion and met with Cecilia and me the day before the second special session,” Abbott said. “Their hearts were broken, their spirits crushed. They shared the beauty of their daughters’ souls.”

Abbott recalled how legislative leaders were moved to tears during those meetings. “Whenever we discussed with everybody in the entire room, there was not a dry eye in the entire room. They dropped their daughters off at camp expecting to be able to see them again very soon. They had no clue they would never see those daughters again.”

Patrick, visibly emotional at the ceremony, praised the courage of the families. “These are courageous families,” he said, noting that their persistence in telling their stories shaped the legislation now becoming law. He also proposed commissioning portraits of the two Camp Mystic counselors who died saving younger girls during the flooding and placing them inside the chambers of the Legislature.

What the New Laws Require

House Bill 1 — Youth CAMPER Act

The first measure signed, House Bill 1, is formally called the Youth Camp Alert, Mitigation, Preparedness, and Emergency Response Act — or Youth CAMPER Act. Authored by Rep. Drew Darby and carried in the Senate by Sen. Charles Perry, the law requires Texas youth camps to take proactive steps to prepare for emergencies, particularly natural disasters such as floods.

Key provisions include:

Emergency Plans: Camps must adopt and annually update state-approved emergency plans.

Training: Staff must receive training on evacuation procedures, flood response, and camper safety.

Camper Orientation: Children must be oriented on emergency exits, alarms, and what to do during flooding or other emergencies.

Parental Notification: Parents must be notified if a camp operates within a floodplain, and sign an acknowledgment of that risk.

Coordination with Local Services: Camps are required to share emergency plans with local fire departments, EMS, and law enforcement.

Enforcement: The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is empowered to inspect camps, investigate complaints, and suspend or deny licenses for non-compliance.

The law attempts to close gaps in preparedness that left many camps vulnerable during the July 4 floods.

Senate Bill 1 — Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act

Senate Bill 1, also carried by Perry and Darby, focuses more directly on physical safety measures and licensing restrictions. It prohibits DSHS from licensing any youth camp with cabins located in FEMA-designated floodplains, except under limited exceptions where adequate mitigation exists.

Other mandates include:

Annual Safety Training for camp operators and staff.

Posting Evacuation Routes and ensuring emergency ladders or rooftop escape routes are available in case of flooding.

Statewide Camp Registry: An online public registry of licensed youth camps, allowing parents to verify safety compliance.

Extended Standards: New rules apply not only to traditional summer camps but also to campgrounds and recreational vehicle parks used for youth programming.

By barring cabins in high-risk flood zones, lawmakers hope to eliminate one of the root causes of the Camp Mystic disaster.

Senate Bill 3 — Flood Warning Siren Grants

Beyond camp safety, Senate Bill 3 addresses the broader need for community flood preparedness. Authored by Sen. Paul Bettencourt and Rep. Terry Wilson, the law establishes a grant program in the Office of the Governor to fund installation of early-warning sirens in flood-prone areas.

Cities, counties, and special districts can apply for financial support to purchase and maintain sirens that can alert residents and camps with enough time to evacuate. The program is modeled on tornado warning systems used in other states but adapted for Texas’s unique geography and flash-flood patterns.

Legislative Path and Setbacks

The path to passing these reforms was not simple. During both the first and second special sessions, lawmakers held hearings where families, emergency officials, and local leaders shared painful testimony about the July 4 floods.

Over time, consensus grew for stronger camp safety regulations and flood preparedness investments. The CAMPER Act and Heaven’s 27 bill gained bipartisan momentum, carried through the legislature by Perry, a Lubbock Republican, and Darby, a San Angelo Republican with experience in rural disaster recovery.

Not every proposal survived the special sessions. Senate Bill 2, an ambitious package to establish a clearer disaster response chain of command and require education programs for local emergency managers, stalled before passage. House Bill 3, which sought to improve interoperability of emergency communications systems across counties, also failed to advance.

Abbott was asked whether he might call a third special session to revisit those issues. His response was cautious: “We will evaluate the options.”

Families, Faith, and the Future

For the families of “Heaven’s 27,” the day was a mixture of grief and gratitude. Many had spent months traveling to Austin to testify, share their stories, and press lawmakers to act.

Behind the Governor as he signed the bills, rows of parents clutched photos of their daughters. Some wore matching ribbons or shirts with the girls’ names. Though their voices had been heard in the halls of power, the absence of their children remained the most poignant reminder of why these laws were necessary.

Abbott and First Lady Cecilia Abbott privately met with families after the public ceremony, offering continued support. The First Lady, who often volunteers with children’s programs, was said to be especially moved by the parents’ strength.

Rebuilding Confidence in Camps

Summer camps have long been a cherished tradition in Texas, drawing thousands of children each year to the Hill Country, Piney Woods, and Gulf Coast. Beyond recreation, camps play a formative role in building independence, friendships, and resilience in young people.

But the floods shattered public confidence in camp safety, raising fears among parents. Enrollment numbers dipped in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, and camp operators reported cancellations.

The CAMPER Act and Heaven’s 27 Act represent a bid to restore that confidence. By mandating stronger safety standards, oversight, and transparency, the laws aim to reassure parents that their children will be protected while enjoying camp life.

Abbott stressed this point in his remarks: “Every child who goes to camp should come home to their families.”

Broader Implications for Flood Preparedness

While camps were the immediate focus, the July 4 floods underscored a wider vulnerability across Texas. The state’s combination of rapid growth, complex river systems, and increasingly unpredictable weather has heightened flood risks for communities.

The new siren grant program under SB 3 is one step toward broader resilience. Local leaders say early warnings can be the difference between life and death in flash floods that rise within minutes.

Emergency management experts, however, caution that sirens are only one part of the puzzle. Investments in weather forecasting, drainage infrastructure, and public education are also critical. The failure of SB 2 and HB 3 to pass leaves some of these needs unmet for now.

Looking Ahead

With the signing of HB 1, SB 1, and SB 3, Texas now has some of the most stringent youth camp safety regulations in the nation. The new requirements will take effect in phases, with DSHS tasked with developing inspection protocols and guidance for camp operators.

Communities across the Hill Country and beyond will also soon be able to apply for flood warning siren grants, potentially rolling out systems before next summer’s camp season.

For the families of Heaven’s 27, the changes are a bittersweet victory. While nothing can undo their loss, their advocacy has reshaped state law and may prevent future tragedies.

As Lt. Gov. Patrick said, the Legislature will remain “eternally connected” to their courage.