House Bill No. 86 amends Section 141.009 of the Health and Safety Code to enhance emergency evacuation instruction and notice requirements for youth camps in Texas. The bill mandates that the executive commissioner establish health and safety standards for youth camps, which now include specific requirements for emergency preparedness. Notably, youth camps must post emergency evacuation and relocation maps on or near all interior doors of buildings that provide overnight accommodations, ensuring visibility for campers and staff. These maps must indicate the shortest route to a safe meeting point, an alternative route in case the primary route is blocked, and the location of emergency equipment.

Additionally, the bill requires that all campers and camp staff receive instruction on emergency procedures before their first overnight stay. This instruction must cover the routes to the safe meeting point, the location of emergency equipment, the evacuation maps, and the implementation of these emergency procedures. The executive commissioner is tasked with adopting the necessary rules to implement these changes as soon as practicable after the bill's effective date. The act will take effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote from both houses; otherwise, it will take effect 91 days after the legislative session concludes.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 141.009 (Health and Safety Code 141)