Sen. Ally Seifried, R-Claremore, on Monday advanced legislation to better protect Oklahoma children at summer camps in the event of unprecedented severe weather.

The Senate Rules Committee overwhelmingly approved House Bill 1675, which would require overnight youth camps and outdoor programs involving children to prepare emergency action plans that will be placed on file with their county emergency management office. These plans would outline how camp staff and counselors will respond if there is a tornado, flash flood, wildfires, high winds or any other severe weather by detailing severe weather monitoring and detection, evacuation routes, reunification procedures and the criteria for sheltering in place.

In the wake of a tragedy at a Texas summer camp last summer, Oklahoma is among the states re-evaluating how overnight camps prepare for natural disasters and coordinate with local law enforcement and emergency managers to keep kids safe.