Texas House Bill HB71

Texas 2025 - 89th 2nd C.S.

• Filed: 8/15/25
• Out of House Committee: 8/22/25

Summary

HB 71 would create a new set of emergency preparedness requirements for youth camps, camps, and entities that offer high-risk activities for minors. It directs the Texas Division of Emergency Management, working with other state agencies, to adopt rules establishing emergency preparedness standards and coordination protocols. Covered operators would have to develop and submit written emergency preparedness plans, post emergency information on-site, maintain real-time communications and clear emergency access routes, and provide advance notice to local emergency responders and division staff before each scheduled camp session or activity. The bill also requires the division to create and publish an emergency readiness toolkit to help operators prepare for and respond to emergencies. In addition, youth camps seeking licensure under Chapter 141 of the Health and Safety Code could not be licensed or renewed unless the operator shows proof that an emergency preparedness plan was submitted to the Texas Division of Emergency Management. The bill authorizes the attorney general to seek civil penalties of up to $1,000 per violation, with each day of noncompliance treated as a separate violation.

Impact

HB 71 would amend Chapter 141 of the Health and Safety Code and add a new Chapter 761 to create statewide emergency planning and notification requirements for camps and youth activity entities. It would impose new regulatory duties on public and private camps, day camps, youth camps, and organizations offering high-risk activities to minors, while also giving the Texas Division of Emergency Management rulemaking authority over standards, protocols, and notice timing. The bill would also create enforcement authority through civil penalties and attorney general actions, and it would condition youth camp licensing on compliance with the new emergency plan submission requirement.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text alone and the absence of committee transcripts or recorded votes, the overall sentiment appears to be safety-oriented and preventative. The measure is framed as an emergency preparedness and coordination bill intended to improve readiness for camps and youth activities, suggesting a policy focus on protecting minors and improving communication with first responders. No recorded opposition, amendments, or vote history is available in the provided materials to indicate broader support or resistance.

Contention

The main points of potential contention are the new compliance burdens on camp operators and youth activity providers, including plan development, posting requirements, advance notice obligations, and maintaining communications and access routes. Operators of smaller, remote, or nonprofit camps may view the rules as costly or administratively difficult, especially because the division can vary notice timing based on risk, location, and group size. Another possible issue is enforcement, since the bill authorizes civil penalties and attorney general recovery of litigation costs, which could raise concerns about liability exposure and regulatory reach. No specific objections or supporters are identified in the provided record.