In the wake of the July 4th floods that claimed the lives of 25 young girls and two counselors at Camp Mystic in Kerr County, Texas lawmakers are advancing sweeping legislation to improve disaster preparedness at youth camps across the state.
The Senate Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding advanced Senate Bill 1, titled “The Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act”, named in honor of the 27 victims.
Senator Charles Perry (R), who chaired the hearing, authored the bill.
“It’s not one of those hearings you ever want to have,” said Perry. “But we also recognize that we need to have them… so we make sure to the best of our human ability that things like this don’t happen again.”
Governor Greg Abbott (R) listed youth camp safety as a specific priority for the current special legislative session.
The bill would apply statewide, mandating comprehensive emergency plans at all camps for natural disasters including floods, wildfires, hurricanes, and tornadoes. For youth camps, the requirements are even stricter.
The state would bar camps in floodplains from receiving licenses. Camps must file all emergency plans with the state and share them with parents upon request. Camps must conduct evacuation drills at the start of each session. They must also install PA systems and maintain two internet connections for emergency communication.
During the hearing, grieving parents called for accountability and reform.
Michael McCown, who lost his 8-year-old daughter Linnie, said, “No one had to die that day... Proper planning could’ve saved them.”
The legislation mandates weather alert radios in all cabins. It also requires rooftop egress in flood zones and staff training in emergency procedures.
Sen. Perry said he believes the proposed reforms could have saved lives. “Had the requirements of SB 1 been in place on the night of July 4th, I have no doubt that some lives, if not all, would’ve been saved.”
SB 1 now heads to the full Senate for consideration.
