OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill requiring all youth camps and outdoor programs to conduct a site-specific hazard assessment and develop an emergency action plan by the end of the year has become law.

Rep. Josh Cantrell, R-Kingston, is the author of House Bill 1675.

"Camp should be a fun time for our kids," Cantrell said. "But in Oklahoma, we have a lot of severe weather. Making sure our camps are as prepared as they can be will help keep young campers safe and give parents and everyone else involved much more peace of mind."

Sen. Ally Seifried, R-Claremore, is the Senate author of the bill.

“As someone who has consistently worked on policies encouraging kids to put down their digital devices and spend more time playing outdoors, I’m proud to have been the primary Senate author of House Bill 1675," Seifried said. "Summer camps are an important rite of passage, and I want every child who goes to camp to have nothing but positive experiences. Under this new law, camp operators and staff will be better prepared for unexpected storms so kids can spend the summer making new friends and lifelong memories.” 

HB 1675 requires all camp facilities, youth camps and outdoor programs to conduct a site-specific hazard assessment and develop an emergency action plan before Jan. 1, 2027. The assessments and plans then must be reviewed every three years.

The emergency action plan must include response protocols for each severe weather hazard applicable to the site, evacuation routes and other items as outlined in the measure. Hazards include potential for flooding, exposure to high winds or tornadic systems, hail, lightning, extreme heat or cold, wildfires or smoke from fires and other weather-related conditions. 

Additionally, the camps and programs must maintain two independent methods of receiving severe weather alerts, including one method that does not rely on cellular service. They also must have an internal communication system, procedures for notifying guardians, and be able to provide access to shelters. 

Potential threats of severe weather and emergency response procedures must be disclosed to all participants. Camp staff are required to receive annual emergency procedure and hazard recognition training and conduct periodic drills.

A copy of the hazard assessment and the emergency action plan must be kept on file with the applicable regulating authority. Regulating authorities are authorized to adopt rules necessary to implement these provisions and can impose corrective action plans, civil penalties, and close camp facilities, youth camps and outdoor programs for material noncompliance.

Lastly, the measure requires recreational campgrounds to have an emergency action plan and procedures in place for natural disasters and severe weather events. The plan must identify site specific hazards that might require evacuation, outline evacuation routes, and include methods for issuing emergency alerts. Emergency action plans must be kept on file with the local emergency management agency and updated annually. 

"We're not trying to make this too hard for our camp owners or facility operators," Cantrell said. "We're just trying to make sure our youth are safe, our parents are aware of what plans are in place, and our emergency responders have up-to-date and accurate information should the need arise."

The bill becomes effective Nov. 1.