Alabama Makes History: Governor Kay Ivey Signs the Sarah Marsh Heaven's 27 Camp Safety Act into Law
On April 8, 2026, Governor Kay Ivey signed House Bill 381 — the Sarah Marsh Heaven's 27 Camp Safety Act — into law, making Alabama the latest state to take decisive action in response to the devastating Camp Mystic flooding that claimed 27 young lives on July 4, 2025. This is a landmark moment for Alabama families, for camp safety advocates across the country, and for every child who will spend a summer away from home.
In September 2025, Governor Abbott signed The Heaven’s 27 Youth Camp Safety Act and Youth CAMPER Act into law. Reforms in Texas, and now Alabama, are already taking effect, thanks to the unwavering advocacy of families, legislators, and supporters like you.
The Legacy of Sarah Marsh
Sarah Marsh was an eight-year-old girl from Mountain Brook, Alabama — full of life, full of love, and by all accounts, a child who lit up every room she entered. On July 4, 2025, she was at Camp Mystic in the Texas Hill Country when catastrophic flooding swept through the Guadalupe River and into the camp. Sarah was one of 27 campers and counselors lost that day — a group now known, with great tenderness, as the Heaven's 27.
Patrick Marsh, Sarah's father, has spoken openly and achingly about his daughter since her passing. "I want her back," he said after the Alabama House voted unanimously to pass the bill in her name. "I want nothing more than to have her come give me another big hug."
Yet even in grief, Patrick and his wife Jill Marsh have channeled their love for Sarah into action — working tirelessly alongside legislators and advocates to ensure that her legacy would be written in law, in protection, and in the lives of children who will come home safely from camp because of the safety standards she helped inspire.
"While nothing can undo our loss," said Jill and Patrick Marsh at the bill signing, "this law ensures that our daughter's life will leave a legacy that, as Rep. Faulkner said, 'will outlive us all.' Our hope is that this moment marks the beginning of a new standard where vigilance, preparation and accountability are never optional when it comes to the care of our children."
The Road to a Historic Signing
The journey from tragedy to law moved with remarkable speed, powered by the resolve of grieving families, dedicated legislators, and a governor who recognized a moral obligation to act.
Governor Ivey first signaled her commitment to camp safety in January 2026, during her ninth and final State of the State Address — announcing the launch of a statewide flood notification system and throwing her full support behind legislation to comprehensively address emergency preparedness at Alabama's summer camps.
In February 2026, the Alabama House passed HB381 by a unanimous 104–0 vote — a testament to the across-the-aisle consensus that protecting children cannot wait. The Senate followed, and on April 8, 2026, Governor Ivey made it law.
"Keeping children safe must always come first," Governor Ivey said at the signing, "and parents should have confidence that their children are protected when they are away from home. After the heartbreaking loss of Sarah Marsh, a young Alabamian away at a summer camp in Texas, I believed we had a responsibility to act."
Together, we are building a movement to ensure every child is safe at summer camps across the U.S.
Champions Who Made This Law
This historic moment would not have been possible without the people who fought for it.
We are deeply grateful to Governor Kay Ivey for her unwavering support and for making camp safety a centerpiece of her final legislative agenda; to Representative David Faulkner (R-Mountain Brook), the bill's House sponsor, who worked hand-in-hand with the Marsh family from start to finish; and to Senator Dan Roberts (R-Mountain Brook), who carried the bill through the Senate with conviction.
We also want to recognize Emily Schultz, a close friend of the Marsh family who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, and the more than 100 House co-sponsors whose support sent an unmistakable message of statewide unity.
And above all — Patrick and Jill Marsh, whose courage and grace turned unbearable loss into lasting change.
What the Sarah Marsh Heaven's 27 Camp Safety Act Means for Alabama
Effective January 1, 2027, all overnight camps in Alabama will be required to meet the following standards — creating Alabama's first comprehensive emergency preparedness framework for youth camps:
Emergency Preparedness Licensing — Camps must apply for and obtain an emergency preparedness license from the Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA). A public registry of licensed camps will be maintained.
Comprehensive Emergency & Evacuation Plans — Camps must maintain approved emergency and evacuation plans, developed in coordination with local emergency management directors.
Non-Internet Dependent Alert Systems — Camps must have a notification system that does not rely on an internet connection and can provide an audible alarm and emergency alert both indoors and outdoors — addressing the exact communication failure that contributed to the Camp Mystic tragedy.
NOAA Weather Radio — Camps must operate with NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio for real-time weather monitoring.
Designated Shelters — Camps must maintain designated shelter spaces for all overnight campers and staff.
No Cabins in Floodplains — Camps are prohibited from constructing or expanding cabins located in a floodplain.
Staff Background Checks — Camps may not retain staff members who have been convicted of a crime involving an unlawful sexual or violent act.
Staff Training & Drills — Required training and drills to ensure staff are prepared to act swiftly and effectively in an emergency.
Transparency for Families — Upon request, camps must provide a summary of their emergency plan to the parent or legal guardian of any camper.
On-Site Inspections — Camps must submit to inspections to verify required documentation, staff training records, and the on-site availability of safety plans.
Youth Camp Safety Advisory Council — A new advisory council will be established to guide AEMA on the implementation and ongoing oversight of the Act, including representation from Scouting America.
As Rep. Faulkner noted, most Alabama camps were already doing many of these things. This law ensures that every camp does — and that trained professionals verify it.
A Legacy That Will Outlive Us All
"Had measures like this been in place in Texas, Sarah would still be here. Twenty-six other girls would still be here," Patrick Marsh said after the House passed the bill. "Nothing's ever going to bring her back, but this is a big step forward to making sure other lives aren't lost and other families aren't going through this."
The Campaign for Camp Safety will continue working to expand these protections to every state in the country. Alabama has shown what is possible when loss becomes legacy. We honor the Heaven's 27, we honor Sarah Marsh, and we honor every family who has stood with us in this fight.
Thank you, Alabama. The work continues.
