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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to youth camp flood safety requirements and a study on and |
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grants for flotation devices for youth camp cabins. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 141, Health and Safety Code, is amended |
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by adding Sections 141.0091, 141.021, and 141.022 to read as |
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follows: |
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Sec. 141.0091. FLOOD SAFETY REQUIREMENTS. (a) This |
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section does not apply to a youth camp subject to a flood plan as |
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designated under state or federal law. |
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(b) A youth camp operator shall for each youth camp cabin |
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used as an overnight accommodation for campers provide: |
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(1) a life jacket for each camper assigned to the |
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cabin; and |
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(2) life rafts with sufficient capacity to support the |
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maximum number of campers that may be assigned to the cabin. |
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(c) The department shall monitor youth camps for compliance |
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with this section and post reports of noncompliance on the |
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department's Internet website. |
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Sec. 141.021. STUDY ON COST OF LIFE JACKETS AND LIFE RAFTS |
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FOR YOUTH CAMPS. (a) The department shall conduct a study on the |
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cost of providing youth camp cabins with: |
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(1) a life jacket for each camper assigned to the |
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cabin; and |
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(2) life rafts with sufficient capacity to support the |
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maximum number of campers that may be assigned to the cabin. |
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(b) This section expires September 1, 2027. |
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Sec. 141.022. SAFETY MEASURE STATE GRANT PROGRAM. (a) The |
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department shall establish a program to award grants to cover 50 |
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percent of the costs incurred by a youth camp operator to equip each |
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youth camp cabin with: |
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(1) a life jacket for each camper assigned to the |
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cabin; and |
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(2) life rafts with sufficient capacity to support the |
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maximum number of campers that may be assigned to the cabin. |
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(b) The legislature shall appropriate $10 million for the |
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grant program established under this section. |
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(c) This section expires September 1, 2031. |
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SECTION 2. Notwithstanding Section 141.0091, Health and |
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Safety Code, as added by this Act, a youth camp operator who is |
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operating a youth camp on the effective date of this Act is not |
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required to comply with the requirements of that section until |
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January 1, 2029. |
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SECTION 3. The Department of State Health Services shall |
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complete the study required by Section 141.021, Health and Safety |
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Code, as added by this Act, not later than April 1, 2026. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the |
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last day of the legislative session. |