MONTGOMERY — Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday signed House Bill 381, known as the Sarah Marsh Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act, establishing new emergency preparedness and safety requirements for Alabama summer camps beginning in 2027.
Sponsored by Rep. David Faulkner, the legislation was created in response to the devastating flooding in Texas that claimed the lives of 8-year-old Sarah Marsh and 27 other young girls. State leaders said the law is intended to strengthen emergency planning and improve communication systems at camps across Alabama.
The legislation requires camps to develop emergency procedures addressing severe weather, flash flooding, and other natural or man-made disasters that could place campers or staff at risk.
“Keeping children safe must always come first, and parents should have confidence that their children are protected when they are away from home,” Governor Ivey said. “After the heartbreaking loss of Sarah Marsh, a young Alabamian away at a summer camp in Texas, I believed we had a responsibility to act. I am proud to make the Sarah Marsh Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act law so we can ensure our camps are prepared, informed and equipped to respond to emergencies.”
Governor Ivey also referenced Alabama’s planned statewide flood notification system, which she previously announced during her State of the State address. According to the governor, the flood notification initiative complements the new camp safety legislation.
Sarah’s parents, Jill and Patrick Marsh, thanked state officials and lawmakers for supporting the bill.
“We are immensely grateful to Governor Ivey, the Alabama Legislature and all those who worked tirelessly to see the Sarah Marsh Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act become law,” the Marsh family said in a statement. “While nothing can undo our loss, this law ensures that our daughters’ lives will leave a legacy that, as Rep. Faulkner said, ‘will outlive us all.’ Our hope is that this moment marks the beginning of a new standard where vigilance, preparation and accountability are never optional when it comes to the care of our children.”
Under the new law, camps will be required to apply for and obtain an emergency preparedness license through the Alabama Emergency Management Agency beginning January 1, 2027.
Additional requirements include:
- Prohibiting camps from employing staff members convicted of unlawful sexual or violent crimes
- Restricting the construction or expansion of cabins in floodplains
- Requiring camps to maintain NOAA Weather Radios
- Establishing emergency alert systems that function without internet access and can be heard indoors and outdoors
- Maintaining designated shelters and approved evacuation plans
- Coordinating emergency plans with local emergency management officials
- Providing parents with summaries of emergency plans upon request
- Participating in on-site inspections to verify training records and emergency preparedness documentation
Rep. Faulkner said the law creates a lasting safety legacy in memory of Sarah Marsh and the other victims of the Texas floods.
“The enactment of the Sarah Marsh Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act marks a vital step forward in protecting children while attending a camp in Alabama,” Faulkner said. “This law turns tragedy into a lasting legacy of safety, honoring the memory of 8-year-old Sarah Marsh and the 27 young girls lost to the devastating Texas floods earlier last year.”
Faulkner also noted that many Alabama camps already follow many of the standards outlined in the legislation but said the law establishes consistent statewide safety expectations.
Sen. Dan Roberts, who sponsored the bill in the Senate, said the legislation is designed to help prevent future tragedies.
“No child should ever have to trade their safety for a summer experience, and no parent should have to worry about a preventable tragedy,” Roberts said. “The Sarah Marsh Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act transforms a heartbreaking loss into a lasting legacy of protection through stronger safety measures for Alabama’s children.”
The legislation also creates a Youth Camp Safety Advisory Council, which will advise AEMA on the implementation of the new requirements.
For camp operators, emergency preparedness licensing requirements will officially begin January 1, 2027.
