New legislation related to the regulation of Youth Camps went into effect on September 5, 2025, and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is working on implementation. 
 

House Bill 1 (HB 1), the Youth Camp Alert, Mitigation, Preparedness, and Emergency Response (Youth CAMPER) Act and Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), the Heaven's 27 Camp Safety Act, were passed during the Second Called Legislative Session and signed into law by the Governor on September 5, 2025. These bills make changes to Health and Safety Code (HSC) Chapter 141, Youth Camps.

DSHS is holding a public hearing on the implementation of House Bill 1 and Senate Bill 1, Friday, October 10, 2025, at 9am.

Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)

Robert D. Moreton Building Public Hearing Room M-100, First Floor
1100 West 49th Street, Austin, Texas 78756

Persons may register to testify in person or virtually. Members of the public may also submit written comments before, during, and after the meeting. Please review the hearing posting for more information: https://www.hhs.texas.gov/about/communications-events/meetings-events/2025/10/10/youth-camps-safety…

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is the principal authority on matters relating to health and safety conditions at DSHS licensed youth camps in Texas. All DSHS qualifying youth camps must obtain a license prior to operating. Any youth camp may be inspected during operation to determine compliance with the Youth Camp Safety and Health Act and the Youth Camp Rules.

A youth camp must meet the entire rule definition here License Qualification Package - Youth Camp Program | Texas DSHS to be licensed as a DSHS youth camp.

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