House passes the Camp Safety Act

February 17, 2026 – MONTGOMERY, AL – The Alabama House of Representatives passed the Camp Safety Act – House Bill 381.

What HB381 Does - The Essentials

HB381 is known as the Sarah Marsh Heaven's 27 Camp Safety Act, a major camp‑safety reform bill introduced in the 2026 Regular Session. It was brought forward by Rep. David Faulkner (R‑Mountain Brook) with broad bipartisan support.

"This bill places common sense safety requirements on the overnight camps in Alabama to help keep children safe," said Rep. Faulkner.

The bill creates Alabama's first emergency‑preparedness licensing system for overnight camps, requiring stronger safety standards, communication systems, and staff vetting.

Why the Bill Exists

HB381 is a direct response to the Camp Mystic flash‑flood disaster in Hunt, Texas (July 2025), which killed 27 campers and counselors - including 8‑year‑old Sarah Marsh of Mountain Brook, for whom the bill is named.

The tragedy exposed severe gaps in emergency communication and evacuation planning at camps nationwide.

"At Camp Mystic, there was no effective emergency communication system," Rep. Faulkner explained, "There were no walkie talkies, no intercoms, and no effective way to communicate actual evacuation instructions to each cabin in an emergency where minutes matter."

"Even more alarming, was the absence of a viable evacuation plan," Faulkner continued,

Key Requirements in HB381

1. Mandatory Emergency‑Preparedness License

Overnight camps must obtain a license from the Alabama Emergency Management Agency (EMA) before operating.

2. Criminal Background Checks

Camps must conduct background checks on all staff - something Alabama previously did not require.

3. Safety & Emergency Standards

To receive a license, camps must demonstrate:

- Emergency communication systems (e.g., radios, alerts, intercoms)

- Weather monitoring procedures

- Flood and severe‑weather safety plans

- Evacuation plans coordinated with local EMA offices

- Clear communication channels for notifying parents during crises

4. Inspections & Compliance

Camps must undergo inspections and meet defined safety rules before licensure.

5. Applies Only to Overnight Camps

Day camps are not affected.

Legislative Status

HB381 passed the Alabama House of Representatives on Tuesday 101 to 0.- It now goes to the Senate for their consideration.

Why It Matters for Alabama Families

HB381 is one of the most sweeping camp‑safety reforms Alabama has considered. For parents, it means:

- Camps must prove they can communicate during emergencies

- Staff must be vetted

- Evacuation and weather plans must be real, not theoretical

- Oversight shifts from voluntary self‑reporting to enforceable standards

It's a bill built around preventing another tragedy like Camp Mystic.

(Brandon Moseley contributed to this report.)