A bill filed by State Rep. David Faulkner (R-Mountain Brook) would establish safety plans for summer camps across the state.
The Sarah Marsh Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act is named in honor of 8-year-old Sarah Marsh, who was one of the young campers caught in flash flooding in Texas last summer.
Governor Kay Ivey voiced her support for House Bill 381 (HB381) and said the bill would improve safety during severe storms, flash flooding and other natural or man-made disasters.
“Keeping children safe must always come first, and parents should have confidence that their children are protected when they are away from home,” said Ivey. “After the heartbreaking loss of Sarah Marsh, a young Alabamian away at a summer camp in Texas, I believe we have a responsibility to act. I encourage passage of this legislation that ensures our camps are prepared, informed and equipped to respond to emergencies.”
The governor’s statewide flood notification system was also a reaction to the Texas flooding. Ivey said Faulkner’s bill will build on safety standards.
“We are grateful to Governor Ivey for standing with us in a shared commitment to camp safety through her support of the Sarah Marsh Heaven’s 27 Act,” stated Jill and Patrick Marsh. “This legislation is a meaningful step toward ensuring that no other parents and families have to endure a similar tragedy, and that all Alabama camps meet strong, consistent standards to provide the highest level of safety for our children.”
HB381 would require camps to meet minimum requirements, including obtaining a safety license from the Alabama Management Agency (AEMA) and developing emergency and evaluation plans. It would also prevent certain convicted criminals from serving on staff. An annual application process would be established, along with a Youth Camp Safety Advisory Council.
“This bill places common-sense safety requirements on the overnight camps in Alabama to help keep children safe,” said Faulkner. “We have great camps in Alabama that do a great job keeping our children safe and we want to make sure that great track record continues.”
Shocco Springs in Talladega hosts guests of all ages and throughout the year. Executive director Russell Klinner said he supports HB381 but noted that his facility already takes safety very seriously.
“We have emergency and preparedness measures in place that address aspects of safety and youth protection on multiple fronts,” Klinner said. “Shocco is unique in that we serve as a host facility — we provide lodging and meals, while the churches and nonprofits that use our campus are responsible for supervising their participants. It is our desire to provide these religious and non-profit groups, regardless of demographic, a safe environment to facilitate Christ-Centered life change.”
Klinner said he is encouraged by the steps the state is taking to protect people through this legislation and the new statewide flood notification system.
If the bill becomes law, camps would have to enact safety plans effective Jan. 1, 2027.
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