In the wake of the tragic Camp Mystic floods that claimed the lives of 27 children and camp counselors, Texas lawmakers have passed HB1 and SB1, collectively known as the Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act, to strengthen safety and preparedness at youth camps statewide.
The new law addresses critical gaps in severe weather preparedness, flood risk management, and emergency communications that previously existed in Texas camp safety regulations.
For camp directors and operators, these new rules represent a significant shift in responsibility, requiring a more robust approach to weather safety.
Here’s what the new legislation means for camp leaders—and how Perry Weather can help.
The Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act (HB1/SB1): What the New Law Requires
Passed unanimously by the Texas Legislature, the “Heaven’s 27” bill sets new safety standards for all licensed youth camps in Texas.
Authored by Sen. Charles Perry, the new law establishes standards to protect the lives of Texas children. It’s the first major legislative effort to address gaps in Texas’ camp safety rules, with a focus on severe weather preparedness, emergency communication, and flood risk reduction.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Sen. Charles Perry, the bill’s sponsor, called the act “a promise that what happened at Camp Mystic never happens again.”
The bill requires youth camps and campgrounds to maintain real-time weather alert systems, train staff on evacuation routes, and develop emergency preparedness plans. Effective immediately, the law includes non-negotiable mandates for camp owners and directors:
📋 Camps Must File a Natural Disaster Emergency Plan
- Emergency plans for natural disasters, such as floods and severe thunderstorms, must be submitted to state and local authorities before the camp season begins in April 1, 2026.
- The plan must include evacuation protocols, shelter-in-place procedures, camper tracking methods, and communication strategies. The law also mandates that camps train staff annually on this emergency response plan and hold evacuation drills for campers at the beginning of each session.
🛑 Camps in 100-year Floodplains Will Lose Their License
- New restriction: Camps with cabins in 100-year floodplains as identified by FEMA will not be granted or renewed licenses to operate.
- What It Means: Camps must reassess all facilities to ensure housing and gathering spaces are outside of known flood zones.
⚠️ Camps Must Act on Flood Warnings
- If a flood warning is issued, camps are legally required to evacuate all campers to higher ground. Camps must act preemptively on official National Weather Service alerts, not personal judgment.
- This applies regardless of current visible weather conditions—real-time alerts and early action are now the standard.
🧭 Mandatory Weather Communication Tools
- Each cabin must be equipped with a NOAA weather alert radio. The goal is to eliminate communication failures during a severe weather event.
- Camps must have at least two internet connections for communication redundancy during emergencies.
Mandatory Training and Drills
- All staff must be trained annually in emergency response and weather procedures.
- Camps must run evacuation drills at the start of each session to ensure campers know what to do if a warning is issued.
Track Campers During Emergencies
- The act mandates that camps have a system in place to track the location and status of all campers during an emergency evacuation.
How Perry Weather Aids Camp Safety (and Helps Save Lives)
✅ Real-Time Flood Alerts, Not Just Forecasts
Perry Weather delivers instant alerts from the National Weather Service (NWS), including flash flood warnings, river advisories, and severe weather bulletins.
You’ll be notified the moment a flood warning is issued—giving you the time you need to evacuate and act decisively.
✅ Location-Specific Weather Intelligence
While free apps and forecasts rely on data from distant airports, Perry Weather uses on-site sensors that reflect the exact conditions at your camp—not miles away.
✅ Automated Emergency Communication
Send real-time alerts to your staff via mobile push notifications, text messages, sirens, strobes, and your PA system. No more shouting across fields or chasing down counselors in the dark.
Perry Weather can trigger warnings and pre-set instructions the moment a flood alert is issued.
✅ Built-in Evacuation Logs and Documentation
If you ever need to prove that your camp acted in accordance with HB1/SB1, Perry Weather gives you a timestamped, exportable record—a critical tool in audits or investigations.
Texas Camps in Flood Zones: Key Takeaways and What to Do Now
If you operate a camp in or near a floodplain, this law changes everything. Here’s your immediate checklist:
- Identify if your cabins or activity areas are in a designated floodplain.
- Create and file your disaster emergency plan before your next session.
- Equip every cabin with a NOAA weather radio.
- Ensure your camp has two reliable internet connections for alerts and communication.
- Conduct evacuation drills and train your staff on emergency procedures.
- Set up a system that can automate alerts and communication in real time.
FAQs on the Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act
Who does the new Heaven’s 27 act apply to?
It applies to all licensed youth camps in Texas. Unlicensed or informal programs are not covered, though best practices suggest they follow the same standards.
When does the Heaven’s 27 law take effect?
It was passed in a special session and takes effect immediately for all licensed camps.
What happens if my camp is in a floodplain?
You will not be licensed to operate if cabins are located in a designated river floodplain. Relocation or reconstruction will be required.
How will compliance be checked?
Camps must submit emergency plans to state and local authorities, and inspections will verify radios, connectivity, drills, and training.
What qualifies as a floodplain under the new rules?
Floodplain definitions follow federal and state guidelines, typically mapped by FEMA or local water authorities.
If your camp’s cabins or common areas are located within a designated flood zone or near a river or stream, you may be affected.
Camps must confirm their floodplain status and may need to relocate or rebuild in safer areas to remain licensed.
How can Perry Weather help our camp stay compliant?
Perry Weather offers a weather safety platform designed for fast, accurate alerts and automated communication. Perry Weather’s weather monitoring platform can:
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Deliver real-time NWS flood alerts directly to your staff
- Automate mobile notifications and sirens when danger strikes
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Keep a digital log of alerts for compliance audits
We take the guesswork out of weather safety so you can focus on protecting your campers.
What kind of staff training is required under HB1/SB1?
All camp staff must receive annual training on emergency response procedures, including:
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Recognizing weather alerts
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Executing evacuation protocols
- Communicating with campers during emergencies
- Using weather radios, alert systems, and backup plans
This training should be documented and repeated each season, especially before camp sessions begin.
Our camp is not in a floodplain. How does this law affect us?
While the rule forbidding new camp cabins in river floodplains is specific to that risk, the other core requirements of the Heaven’s 27 Act apply to all youth camps in Texas.
Severe weather is not limited to flooding. Threats like lightning, extreme heat, high winds, and tornados are prevalent across the state. The law’s mandates for emergency planning, staff training, reliable alerting, and camper tracking are designed to prepare camps for a wide range of weather emergencies, regardless of their proximity to a river.
“We Will Never Let This Happen Again”
That was the promise made by the families of the victims at Camp Mystic. The Heaven’s 27 Act is their legacy. For camp directors, this isn’t just a legal requirement—it’s a moral one.
Implementing a professional-grade weather intelligence platform does more than check compliance boxes—it provides peace of mind to parents, and empowers your staff to protect the children in your care.
With Perry Weather, you can ensure you’re not just meeting the letter of the law but exceeding it—protecting your campers, your staff, and your community from the next storm.
By centralizing all weather monitoring, alerting, and logging into a single, automated system, you remove the guesswork and human error that can lead to tragedy.
Ready to Build a Safer Camp?
Perry Weather is trusted by schools, parks, and public agencies across the country. Let us help you implement a severe weather plan that meets Texas’s new standards and keeps your campers safe—every day, in every condition.
Start protecting your camp today with a free two-week trial of Perry Weather and see firsthand how easy it is to put compliance and safety on autopilot.
