Texas Law Strengthens Safety Rules for Youth Camps

Texas House Bill 265 makes important changes to how youth camps operate and stay safe. The law requires camp operators to protect children by providing safe facilities, equipment, and healthful conditions free from hazards that could cause harm. One key change is that all adult staff members and volunteers who have unsupervised contact with campers must pass a criminal background check each year. Camp operators must also check the state's sex offender database to make sure staff are not registered offenders. These steps help keep children safe by screening out people with dangerous histories. Another important part of the law creates a safety committee with 11 members. This committee includes a pediatrician or primary care doctor, a child psychologist, a water safety expert, law enforcement, emergency management professionals, and two youth camp operators. The committee also includes at least one parent who has had a child attend camp in Texas in the past two years, plus two members from the general public. This mix of professionals and parents brings different viewpoints to improve camp safety rules. The law also requires camp staff to complete at least one hour of training in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) provided by accredited organizations. Staff members and volunteers must immediately report any suspected abuse or neglect of children to the appropriate authorities. The advisory committee must complete a full review and update of all youth camp safety rules by April 1, 2026. This will give camps clear, current guidance on how to protect children and operate safely.