1. (a) Statutory authority. The Youth Camp Advisory Committee (YCAC) is established under Texas Health and Safety Code §141.010.
2. (b) Purpose. The YCAC advises the executive commissioner and Department of State Health Services (DSHS) on the development of youth camp standards and procedures.

3. (c) Tasks. The YCAC performs the following tasks:

   1. (1) makes recommendations to the executive commissioner regarding the content of the rules adopted to implement Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 141;
   2. (2) performs any other functions requested by the executive commissioner in the implementation and administration of Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 141; and
   3. (3) may adopt rules for the conduct of its own activities.

4. (d) Reporting requirements. The presiding officer must sign and file an annual written report with DSHS and the executive commissioner by January 15, covering the meetings and activities in the previous fiscal year. The report includes:

   1. (1) a list of the meeting dates of the YCAC and any subcommittees;
   2. (2) the members' attendance records;
   3. (3) a brief description of actions taken by the YCAC;
   4. (4) a description of how the YCAC accomplished its tasks;
   5. (5) a description of activities the YCAC anticipates undertaking in the next fiscal year; and
   6. (6) recommended amendments to this section.

5. (e) Meetings.

   1. (1) Open meetings. The YCAC complies with the requirements for open meetings under Texas Government Code Chapter 551, as if it were a governmental body.
   2. (2) Frequency. The YCAC will meet at least annually and at the call of the DSHS commissioner or the DSHS commissioner's designee.
   3. (3) Quorum. A simple majority of the members of the YCAC who are appointed constitutes a quorum for the purpose of transacting official business.

6. (f) Membership.

   1. (1) The YCAC is composed of nine voting members appointed by the executive commissioner or the executive commissioner's designee. In selecting voting members to serve on the YCAC, the executive commissioner considers the applicants' qualifications, background, interest in serving, and geographic location. The YCAC consists of:

      1. (A) one member from the general public;
      2. (B) one member from the general public with expertise in specialized program safety, such as archery, firearms, or challenge courses;
      3. (C) one parent of a child who was a camper in the past two years;
      4. (D) one day camp operator;
      5. (E) one camp operator with experience in wilderness or primitive activities;
      6. (F) one residential camp operator operating a youth camp that provides overnight accommodations for 500 or more campers per year;
      7. (G) one residential camp operator operating a youth camp that provides overnight accommodations for 499 or fewer campers per year;
      8. (H) one waterfront safety expert; and
      9. (I) one pediatric psychologist, psychiatrist, or child abuse expert.

   2. (2) Members are appointed for staggered six-year terms, with the terms of three members expiring on August 31 of each odd-numbered year. Regardless of the term limit, a member serves until his or her replacement is appointed. This ensures sufficient, appropriate representation.

      1. (A) If a vacancy occurs, the executive commissioner or the executive commissioner's designee will appoint a person to serve the unexpired portion of that term.
      2. (B) Except as may be necessary to stagger terms, the term of each member is six years.

7. (g) Officers. The YCAC:

   1. (1) must annually elect a chairperson from among its members who will serve as the presiding officer and preside over the YCAC; and
   2. (2) may elect a vice-chairperson and a secretary from among its members.
8. (h) Required training. Each member must complete training on relevant statutes and rules, including this section; Texas Government Code Chapters 551, 552, and 2110; the Health and Human Services (HHS) Ethics Policy; the Advisory Committee Member Code of Conduct; and other relevant HHS policies. Training will be provided by DSHS.
9. (i) Travel reimbursement. To the extent permitted by the current General Appropriations Act, a member of the YCAC may be reimbursed for the member's travel to and from meetings if funds are appropriated and available and in accordance with the DSHS Travel Policy.
10. (j) Abolishment date. The YCAC is abolished and this section expires December 31, 2030.

Source Note:The provisions of this §3.8 adopted to be effective February 2, 2026, 51 TexReg 570.