What this is
A new Texas law requires youth camps to provide life jackets and life rafts for campers in cabins.
Texas is making youth camps safer for all our young people. A new law requires youth camps to protect campers from flooding by providing life jackets and life rafts in every cabin where kids sleep overnight.
Here's what the law requires: each youth camp must give a life jacket to every camper in their cabin. Camps must also have life rafts with enough space for all the campers in each cabin. These safety items help protect kids if water floods the cabin during heavy storms or bad weather.
The state is helping camps pay for these safety measures. Texas will spend 10 million dollars to give grants that pay for half the cost of life jackets and life rafts. This means camps only have to pay for the other half of the equipment. The Department of State Health Services will also study how much these safety items cost so we know the full picture.
Youth camps that are already operating have until January 1, 2029 to get everything in place. The department will keep track of which camps are following the new rules and share that information online. This law shows our state is committed to keeping young people safe during their camp experiences.
Key details
- Grant funding: $10 million
- Cost covered by grants: 50 percent
- Compliance deadline: January 1, 2029
- Study completion deadline: April 1, 2026
About Texas Legislature
The Texas Legislature is the state legislature of Texas, consisting of the House of Representatives with 150 members and the Senate with 31 members. Meeting in regular session every two years, the legislature passes stat…
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Why it matters
This is part of Our Health — health, wellness, and caring for each other.
How this affects households
Under $30,000
Your family gets the same safety protection for kids at camp without camps raising prices much since the state pays half the cost.
$30,000-$60,000
Your family gets better safety for kids at camp with minimal impact on camp fees since camps get state help buying equipment.
$60,000-$100,000
Your family benefits from improved camp safety with little change to what you pay since the state subsidizes half the equipment costs.
Over $100,000
Your family gets enhanced safety at youth camps with minimal cost increase since camps receive state funding for half the equipment.
How to get involved
- 1Start with the snapshot above to know what this is in a glance.
- 2Read why it matters so you can speak to it in your own words.
- 3Weigh in using the button above.
When you call, you can say: “Hi, I saw "Texas Law Protects Campers With Life Jackets and Rafts" on Community Exchange and want to know how to take part.”
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