89S20509 KRM-D

By: Hull H.B. No. 265

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to governmental oversight of youth camps, including youth camp rules and the youth camp advisory committee.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 141.008, Health and Safety Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:

(a) The executive commissioner may adopt rules to implement this chapter. In adopting the rules the executive commissioner shall comply with Subchapter B, Chapter 2001, Government Code, including Sections 2001.032(b) and 2001.033, Government Code. [In developing the rules to be adopted by the executive commissioner, the department shall consult parents, youth camp operators, and appropriate public and private officials and organizations.]

(a-1) Not later than April 1, 2026, the executive commissioner, in consultation with the advisory committee appointed under Section 141.010, shall conduct a comprehensive review and revision of the youth camp rules prescribed under this chapter. This subsection expires September 1, 2027.

SECTION 2. Section 141.010, Health and Safety Code, is amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows:

(b) The advisory committee is composed of nine members, including:

(1) one emergency management director or coordinator designated under Section 418.1015, Government Code;

(2) one law enforcement professional;

(3) one pediatrician;

(4) one child psychologist;

(5) one child abuse prevention expert;

(6) one youth camp operator;

(7) one parent or legal guardian of a child who was a camper at a youth camp in this state in the two years preceding the appointment date; and

(8) two members of the general public unaffiliated with any youth camp [may not exceed nine members, at least two of whom shall be members of the general public. The other members should be experienced camping professionals who represent the camping communities of the state].

(b-1) In making the appointments to the advisory committee, the executive commissioner shall attempt to reflect the geographic diversity of the state [in proportion to the number of camps licensed by the department in each geographic area of the state].

SECTION 3. Section 141.011, Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 141.011. OPERATOR'S DUTY. (a) A youth camp operator shall provide each camper with safe and healthful conditions, facilities, and equipment that are free from recognized hazards that cause or may tend to cause death, serious illness, or bodily harm.

(b) Before an adult individual may serve as a youth camp staff member or volunteer who has unsupervised contact with a camper, a youth camp operator must:

(1) conduct an annual criminal history record check on the individual; and

(2) ascertain whether the individual is registered as a sex offender under Chapter 62, Code of Criminal Procedure, by consulting the sex offender database maintained by the Department of Public Safety.

(c) A youth camp operator shall ensure each adult camp staff member is certified in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation by an accredited training organization.

SECTION 4. The following provisions of the Health and Safety Code are repealed:

(1) Section 141.0025;

(2) Section 141.0035(b);

(3) Section 141.007(g); and

(4) Section 141.016(c).

SECTION 5. (a) The terms of the advisory committee members appointed under Section 141.010, Health and Safety Code, and serving immediately before the effective date of this Act expire on the effective date of this Act.

(b) On the effective date of this Act, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall open the application process to appoint advisory committee members under Section 141.010, Health and Safety Code, as amended by this Act.

(c) The executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall appoint members to serve on the youth camp advisory committee under Section 141.010, Health and Safety Code, as amended by this Act:

(1) not later than October 1, 2025, if this Act takes effect immediately; or

(2) as soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, if this Act takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the legislative session.

SECTION 6. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the legislative session.