On May 7, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) announced an agreement with youth camp operators to waive a requirement for “end-to-end fiber optic” internet facilities for the 2026 summer season.
The compromise allows hundreds of camps to proceed with their sessions by utilizing alternative forms of redundant broadband communication.
The agreement pauses a legal battle initiated by 19 camps that argued the fiber-optic mandate — part of the Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act — was technically and financially impossible for rural facilities.
Operators reported quotes for fiber installation reaching as high as $1.2 million, with many providers unable to guarantee the “end-to-end” connectivity required by the 2025 law. Under the new terms, DSHS will issue licenses to camps that maintain redundant internet service through cellular, satellite, or microwave technology, provided they meet all other safety standards.
DSHS Commissioner Jennifer Shuford said that the agreement ensures camps operate with the “safety provisions envisioned by the Legislature” while allowing families to move forward with summer plans.
This move aligns with a recent joint statement, reported by the Texas Dispatch on May 6, from Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows, who advocated for flexibility by acknowledging that reliable redundant access can be achieved through means other than fiber.
Lawmakers passed the original safety act in response to the tragic 2025 floods at Camp Mystic, where communication failures hampered early emergency responses.
Brian Anderson, executive director of Camp Peniel, expressed gratitude for the solution, stating that the agreement “keeps camp doors open for children and families across Texas.”
Despite the resolution, some lawmakers, such as State Representative Wes Virdell, remain concerned that the licensing bottleneck created by the law nearly prevented hundreds of camps from operating; Virdell said that only nine out of roughly 300 applications had been approved prior to this week’s announcement.
The current agreement stays all legal proceedings until March 1, 2027, giving the 90th Legislative Session a window to draft a permanent statutory fix for communication standards.
“We, as a legislative body, are the ones who created this problem, and we should be humble and go back and fix it,” Rep. Virdell said regarding the need for a permanent legislative update in 2027.