Heaven's 27 Camp Safety Act & Youth CAMPER Act
Last updated: January 25, 2026
Following the tragic flooding events in the Texas Hill Country, the 89th Legislature (2nd Called Session) passed historic legislation to modernize safety infrastructure at youth camps. Signed into law by Governor Abbott on September 5, 2025, these measures represent the most significant update to the Texas Health and Safety Code (HSC) in decades.
Compliance with these statutes is no longer optional; it is a prerequisite for obtaining or renewing a youth camp license in the State of Texas.
Two primary bills govern the new landscape of camp safety:
"The Heaven's 27 Camp Safety Act"
Establishes the primary requirements for infrastructure hardening, floodplain restrictions, and redundant connectivity.
"The Youth CAMPER Act"
Focuses on emergency planning, creation of the Youth Camp Safety Multidisciplinary Team, and penalties for non-compliance.
To ensure camps remain connected during severe weather events when traditional networks fail, HSC § 141.0092 mandates a "Redundant Internet Connection" architecture. Camps must now provide and maintain:
Internet service through a broadband service that connects using end-to-end fiber optic facilities.
A secondary Internet connection through a broadband service that is distinct from the primary fiber service (e.g., LEO Satellite or 5G/LTE Cellular) to ensure redundancy.
Note: While the fiber requirement is a long-term infrastructure goal (Phase 2), the establishment of the distinct secondary connection is an immediate requirement for the 2026 licensing cycle.
Under the newly amended HSC § 141.0091, camps must upgrade their on-site alerting hardware to ensure communication is possible even if the internet fails. Operators are required to:
Install and maintain an emergency warning system capable of alerting all campers. This must include a Public Address (PA) system or siren that is operable without reliance on an Internet connection.
Maintain an operable radio capable of receiving real-time weather alerts from the National Weather Service (NWS) or a similar professional service.
Conspicuously post evacuation routes in every cabin and ensure these routes are illuminated at night.
HSC § 141.0052 introduces strict zoning requirements regarding floodplains. The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) shall not issue or renew a license for a camp that operates a cabin (sleeping quarter) within a FEMA-designated 100-year floodplain unless:
• The cabin is located near a still body of water (pond/lake) not connected to a flowing watercourse; OR
• The cabin is at least 1,000 feet from a floodway.
Heaven's 27 Camp Safety Act becomes law.
New DSHS rules become effective for youth camp licensing.
Deadline for all camps to submit updated Emergency Plans to DSHS for approval.
⚠️ License Suspension: DSHS is authorized to suspend the license of any camp found in violation of the connectivity (§141.0092) or safety (§141.0091) statutes.
Recognizing the financial burden of these upgrades, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 5 (SB 5). This appropriation bill provides:
$50 Million
Flood warning infrastructure grants for 31 designated disaster counties (July 2025 declaration).
$28 Million
Disaster preparedness grants to improve meteorological forecasting and flood management for all Texas counties.
Note: All Texas youth camps are also subject to fiber internet requirements under HB1/SB1, which mandates redundant broadband connectivity.
We're here to help your camp meet these requirements and access available funding.
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