1. (a) Renewal of a youth camp license. A youth camp operator holding a license issued under this chapter must submit a complete renewal application to operate a youth camp. A renewal application must be submitted:

   1. (1) annually to the department's Environmental and Sanitation Licensing Branch between January 1 and March 31 of each calendar year; and

   2. (2) no later than the 30th day after the date the youth camp operator:

      1. (A) alters the boundaries of a youth camp;
      2. (B) completes construction of one or more new cabins located on the premises; or

      3. (C) completes any renovation to one or more existing cabins located on the premises of the camp that:

         1. (i) increases or decreases the number of beds in an affected cabin; or
         2. (ii) alters the method of ingress or egress to an affected cabin.

2. (b) Renewal notice. At least 60 days before a license expires, the department, as a service to the licensee, may send a renewal notice to the licensee or registrant to the last address provided by the licensee. The licensee is responsible for renewing the license whether the licensee receives the department's notice or not. The renewal notice states:

   1. (1) license type requiring renewal;
   2. (2) time period allowed for renewal; and
   3. (3) the amount of the renewal fee.

3. (c) Renewal requirements. Renewal applications and fees must be received by the department before the license's annual expiration date.

   1. (1) Submitting an application. A complete renewal application must be submitted to the department and include:

      1. (A) a completed youth camp renewal application;
      2. (B) an activity schedule showing dates and detailed information about the activities that are conducted both at the camp and at other locations;
      3. (C) an emergency plan, including any updated emergency plan, as described in §265.31 of this subchapter (relating to Emergency Preparedness and Response);
      4. (D) the estimated number of campers attending the camp during the upcoming calendar year;
      5. (E) any other requested documents and information; and
      6. (F) the renewal license fee as described in §265.28 of this subchapter (relating to Fees).
   2. (2) Applications and fees. Applications and fees may be submitted online to https://vo.ras.dshs.state.tx.us.

   3. (3) Qualifying for renewal of a youth camp license. Subject to subsection (k) of this section, the department issues a renewal license if the facility:

      1. (A) meets the definition of a "youth camp," as described in §265.11 of this subchapter (relating to Definitions); and

      2. (B) is in compliance with all provisions of the Act and the rules before operation as determined by:

         1. (i) submitting a complete renewal application as described in this subsection;
         2. (ii) passing a pre-licensing inspection conducted by the department, if required; and
         3. (iii) complying with all final orders resulting from any violations of this subchapter before the application for renewal is submitted.

4. (d) Processing renewal applications.

   1. (1) A complete application for a license renewal issued under this subchapter must be received by the department's Environmental and Sanitation Licensing Branch before the expiration date of the license or 45 days before camp operation, whichever is earlier.

      1. (A) An application is considered incomplete until all required documentation, information, and fees are received.
      2. (B) If the application is incomplete, the department issues a deficiency notice, including identification of deficiencies, a deadline for deficiency correction, and the need for a pre-licensing inspection.
      3. (C) If a camp is subject to pre-licensing inspection, a renewal license is issued after the inspection is completed and compliance with the Act and this subchapter is confirmed.

   2. (2) Upon receipt of an application, the department issues the following documents in accordance with policy, as applicable:

      1. (A) a license--within 30 days;
      2. (B) a letter of renewal application deficiency--within 30 days; or

      3. (C) a letter of pre-licensing inspection deficiency at the conclusion of the pre-licensing inspection.

         1. (i) The camp must provide proof of all deficiency corrections, except for corrections to the emergency plan, within 10 days after the inspection or before camp operation, whichever comes first.
         2. (ii) The camp must provide proof of all deficiency corrections for the emergency plan. The proof must be provided within 45 days after the camp received the department letter of pre-licensing deficiency.
   3. (3) In the event that a timely and complete application for license renewal is not processed within timeframe established in department policy, and no good cause exists for the delay, the applicant has the right to request reimbursement of all fees paid in that particular application process. Requests for reimbursement must be made by email to youthcamps.reg@dshs.texas.gov. Good cause for exceeding the time period is considered to exist if the number of applications for licensure exceeds by 15% or more the number of applications processed the same calendar quarter of the preceding year or any other condition exists giving the department good cause for exceeding the time period.
   4. (4) If the request for reimbursement as authorized by paragraph (3) of this subsection is denied, the applicant may then appeal to the commissioner for a resolution of the dispute. The applicant must give written notice to the commissioner requesting reimbursement of the fee paid because the application was not processed within the established time period. The department submits a written report of the facts related to the processing of the application and good cause for exceeding the established time periods. The commissioner makes the final decision and provides written notification of the decision to the applicant and to the department.
5. (e) Late renewal. If a license is not renewed within one year after the expiration date, the license cannot be renewed. A new license may be obtained by submitting a new application in compliance with §265.23 of this subchapter (relating to Application and Denial of a New License; Non-transferable). If the license is renewed after its expiration date, the renewed license expires on the date the license would have expired if the license had been renewed timely.
6. (f) Non-renewal. The department may refuse to renew a license if the applicant has not complied with all final orders resulting from any violations of these sections. Eligibility for license renewal may be reestablished by meeting all conditions of the orders and complying with the requirements of this section. The department may not renew the license of a youth camp that has not corrected deficiencies identified in a final order before the application for renewal is submitted. Corrections must be submitted to and approved by the department's Environmental and Sanitation Licensing Branch before submitting the renewal application.
7. (g) Application determination affecting license expiration. If a license holder submits a timely and complete license renewal application, the existing license does not expire until the application has been finally determined by the department. If a license holder submits a late or incomplete application and the application is denied, the existing license does not expire until the last day to request a review of the agency order or a later date granted by order of the reviewing court.
8. (h) Reapplication for license upon revocation. A license holder whose license has been revoked may not reapply for a new license for two years from the date of final revocation.
9. (i) Opportunity for a hearing. When the department proposes to deny an initial or renewal application, the department gives notice of the proposed action in writing and provides information on how to request an administrative hearing. The applicant must submit a written request for a hearing within 30 days from the date of the notice letter.
10. (j) Pre-licensing inspections. A youth camp applying for a license renewal may be subject to a pre-licensing inspection. Youth camps must be in compliance with all provisions of the Act and the rules before operation.

11. (k) Denials.

    1. (1) The department may deny a renewal application for licensing to applicants who fail to meet the standards established by the Act and this subchapter. The department considers any violations by the applicant of the Act or this subchapter, including employment of an individual who was convicted of an act of sexual abuse, as defined by Texas Penal Code §21.02, that occurred at the camp. When the department proposes to deny a renewal application, the department gives notice of the proposed action in writing and provides information on how to request an administrative hearing. The hearing is conducted in accordance with the Act; Texas Government Code Chapter 2001, the Administrative Procedure Act; and the formal hearing procedures in Chapter 1 of this title (relating to Miscellaneous Provisions).
    2. (2) A letter of denial of license renewal may be issued within 60 days of the receipt of application if the applicant does not meet the requirements of subsection (c)(3)(A) of this section.
    3. (3) A letter of denial of license renewal may be issued within 60 days following the first scheduled date of camp operations if the applicant does not meet the requirements of subsection (c)(3)(B) of this section.

12. (l) Refunds.

    1. (1) If the applicant does not meet the requirements of subsection (c)(3)(A) of this section, the renewal application may be denied and the renewal license fee, less a handling fee of $50, may be refunded. If an applicant is denied because the facility does not meet the requirements of subsection (c)(3)(A) of this section, the applicant should determine if a license from another agency is required.
    2. (2) If the applicant does not meet the requirements of subsection (c)(3)(B) of this section, the renewal application may be denied and the renewal license fee may not be refunded.

Source Note:The provisions of this §265.24 adopted to be effective April 16, 2006, 31 TexReg 3049; amended to be effective May 16, 2010, 35 TexReg 3815; amended to be effective March 13, 2014, 39 TexReg 1713; amended to be effective February 25, 2019, 44 TexReg 862; amended to be effective June 25, 2020, 45 TexReg 4202; amended to be effective February 2, 2026, 51 TexReg 571.