Requires an adequate supply of state park police officers based on attendance

1 Co-sponsor

• Joseph Saladino

BILL NUMBER:A9143

Title of bill

An act to amend the parks, recreation and historic pres- ervation law, in relation to requiring an adequate supply of state park police officers

Purpose or general idea of bill

This legislation is intended to ensure an adequate supply of state park police officers in New York State's parks, beaches and historic sites in order to maintain safe environments for the general public.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1 amends subdivision 5 of section 3.09 of the Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Law by including an adequate supply of state park police officers at state parks, beaches and historic sites based on the rolling attendance over the most recent five year period.

Section 2 contains the legislation's effective date.

Justification

This legislation is intended to ensure that New York State's parks, beaches and historic sites are kept safe for the general public by ensuring an adequate supply of state park police officers are employed by the State. On Long Island alone, there has been a reduction of 12 officers in the past year due to the training class for state park police officers not being offered by the State. It has yet to be deter- mined if the class will be offered next year. As park police officers are retiring or leaving for other reasons, their positions are not being filled and this is causing a shortage, which in turn relates to the State's parks, beaches and historic sites not being staffed at safe levels. This bill would base the staffing levels on a five year rolling attendance average so that when large crowds are anticipated, there will be adequate staffing of park police officers to ensure the general public's welfare and safety.

Prior legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.