The bill, S.B. No. 22, aims to enhance the safety and emergency preparedness of youth camps in Texas by mandating the development and implementation of comprehensive emergency operations plans. It introduces a new section, 141.0091, to the Health and Safety Code, which requires youth camp operators to create site-specific emergency plans that address various potential emergencies, including natural disasters, lost campers, fires, and mass casualty events. The bill stipulates that these plans must be reviewed annually, submitted for approval to local emergency management authorities, and include specific procedures for staff, volunteers, and campers during emergencies.

Additionally, the bill mandates that camp staff and volunteers receive thorough training on the emergency operations plan before each camp session, covering all procedures and emergency equipment locations. It also requires the execution of age-appropriate emergency drills within 48 hours of the camp session's start to familiarize campers with evacuation routes and emergency protocols. The bill emphasizes the importance of maintaining documentation of training and drills in the camp's administrative office and empowers the executive commissioner to adopt necessary rules for implementation.

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