Montgomery, AL – Governor Kay Ivey last week continued her support for measures designed to enhance safety at Alabama’s summer camps, backing legislation that would establish new emergency preparedness standards for youth camp operations statewide.
Representative David Faulkner has officially filed House Bill 381, which seeks to improve camp safety by requiring comprehensive planning for situations in which campers and staff may face danger, including severe weather, flash flooding and other natural or man-made emergencies.
“Keeping children safe must always come first, and parents should have confidence that their children are protected when they are away from home,” said Governor Ivey. “After the heartbreaking loss of Sarah Marsh, a young Alabamian away at a summer camp in Texas, I believe we have a responsibility to act. I encourage passage of this legislation that ensures our camps are prepared, informed and equipped to respond to emergencies.”
During her State of the State address, Ivey also announced plans to launch a statewide flood notification system, an initiative that follows severe flooding in Texas and is intended to complement the proposed safety standards for Alabama camps. If passed, House Bill 381 would be known as the Sarah Marsh Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act, named in memory of 8-year-old Sarah Marsh and other young campers who died in a flood at a Texas overnight camp earlier this year.
“The Sarah Marsh Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act is instrumental to keep children safe at overnight camps in Alabama. This Act is named for 8-year-old Sarah Marsh and all the other young girls who tragically lost their lives in a flood in Texas this year while at an overnight camp,” said Rep. Faulkner. “This bill places common sense safety requirements on the overnight camps in Alabama to help keep children safe. We have great camps in Alabama that do a great job keeping our children safe and we want to make sure that great track record continues.”
Under the proposed legislation, camp coordinators would be required to meet several minimum standards, including obtaining a safety license from the Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA), developing and maintaining emergency and evacuation plans and ensuring certain convicted criminals are prohibited from serving as camp staff.
The bill also calls for the creation of an independent Youth Camp Safety Advisory Council. The council would advise AEMA on rulemaking and implementation, monitor nationwide safety developments and innovations, recommend potential legislative updates and manage stakeholder concerns and information related to camp safety.
“We are grateful to Governor Ivey for standing with us in a shared commitment to camp safety through her support of the Sarah Marsh Heaven’s 27 Act,” said Jill and Patrick Marsh. “This legislation is a meaningful step toward ensuring that no other parents and families have to endure a similar tragedy, and that all Alabama camps meet strong, consistent standards to provide the highest level of safety for our children.”
If approved by the Legislature and signed into law, the measure would require camp operators to complete an annual application process, obtain required licenses and implement safety plans beginning January 1, 2027.
State leaders say the effort is intended to strengthen emergency preparedness at youth camps and provide additional assurance to parents regarding their children’s safety while attending overnight and summer programs.
