HB 265 Texas House · 89th Legislature, 2nd Called Session (2025)

Relating to governmental oversight of youth camps, including youth camp rules, duties, and the advisory committee.

HB 265 strengthens Texas youth camp oversight by requiring the health department to review camp safety rules by April 2026, in consultation with a newly structured advisory committee. The committee must include nine members representing emergency management, law enforcement, pediatric care, child psychology, abuse prevention, camp operators, parents, and geographic diversity. The bill mandates camp operators to provide safe facilities and conduct annual criminal background checks on staff, including sex offender database verification. These provisions directly affect youth camp operators, staff, and campers by establishing clearer safety standards and oversight mechanisms.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Aug 2025

Committee Review

Aug 2025

House Passage

Aug 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Aug 20, 2025 Last action Sep 2, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 4 edits · Aug 28, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was amended to strengthen youth camp oversight by increasing the advisory committee size from nine to eleven members and adding a water safety expert and pediatric advanced practice nurse. The committee's composition now requires more experienced camping professionals and adds specific ineligibility criteria to prevent conflicts of interest. Additionally, staff training requirements were updated to ensure completion of certified first aid and CPR training.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include water safety expertise and broader medical representation on the advisory committee, while tightening eligibility rules for committee members.

REQUIREMENT

The advisory committee size increased from nine to eleven members to include a water safety expert and a pediatric advanced practice registered nurse or physician's assistant.

Staff training requirements were modified to mandate that first aid and CPR training be completed by an accredited organization or licensed healthcare professional rather than just an accredited training organization.

ELIGIBILITY

New ineligibility provisions were added to bar individuals affiliated with youth camps or related to such individuals from serving on the committee.

DEFINITION

The composition of the advisory committee was modified to require at least two experienced camping professionals representing camping communities.

Floor votes · House Aug 28, 2025

How they voted

130–2

Passed · 14 other

Total votes 146

Aug 28, 2025

D Democratic59

46 Yea 1 Nay 12

77% Yea

R Republican87

84 Yea 1 Nay 2

96% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Sep 2, 2025

Introduced

Received from the House

upper

Aug 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed

lower

Aug 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed to engrossment

lower

Aug 26, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report sent to Calendars

lower

Aug 25, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report distributed

lower

Aug 25, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably as substituted

lower

Aug 22, 2025

Lower · Passed

Left pending in committee

lower

Aug 22, 2025

Lower · Passed

Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee

lower

Aug 20, 2025

Committee

Referred to Public Health

lower

Aug 20, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

lower

5 primary · 66 co-sponsors