Directs the commissioners of mental health and developmental disabilities to foster enjoyment of recreational activities

Summary of provisions

Sections 1 - 4: Amends the Mental Hygiene Law sections 7.07, 7.15, 13.07 and 13.15 to incorporate into the law that the Office of Mental Health and Office for People with Developmental Disabilities could help to foster enjoyment of recreational activities, such as sport fishing, for persons who are mentally ill or have a developmental disability.

Section 5: Amends Environmental Conservation Law Section 11-0707 to facilitate the ability of a person who is mentally ill or has a develop- mental disability as defined in Mental Hygiene Law to recreationally fish without first obtaining a license to do so. Such permission would not allow such person to take bait fish by net or trap. To qualify, such person would need to possess some form of identifying information that indicates such person is mentally ill or has a developmental disability when fishing.

Justification

Fishing can be an enjoyable outdoor recreational activ- ity for people of all ages. Unfortunately, often due to a lack of income or the mental capability of some to obtain and retain a fishing license, some people who are mentally ill or have a developmental disability do not pursue such outdoor recreational activities that can have a strong social component. People with disabilities, with the help of their case managers, psychologists, social workers or family members could help to encourage their patients, clients or family members to take up valuable outdoor recreational activities such as fishing. To facilitate the encouragement of such persons to pursue outdoor recreational activities such as fishing, this bill negates the need for such persons to obtain a fishing license.

Many individuals who are mentally ill or are developmentally disabled are on low fixed incomes, therefore, it is difficult for such persons to afford such recreational fishing licenses without eliminating other essential items, such as food and adequate shelter. For those persons who have a developmental disability or a mental illness, the activity of fishing has been noted by psychologists, therapists, and social workers as a low cost physical activity that such disabled persons can enjoy, look forward to and which is therapeutic for such persons and the fami-

lies of such persons. In addition, the pursuit of outdoor recreational activities, such as fishing, can lead such persons to have more opportu- nities and reasons to interact with other like-minded sportsmen and fishermen and to share common bonds, stories and "yards" that inevita- bility occur while sharing time at the local fishing hole.

This bill provides a low cost and easy avenue that psychologist, thera- pists, social workers and family members can advise their clients, patients or relatives to pursue to become more physically and mentally active and connected more socially with the community. In addition, this bill would reduce the legitimate difficulties that the mentally ill or developmentally disabled can have in not only securing a fishing license, but retaining such license throughout the year without it getting lost or misplaced.

Legislative history

New Bill.

Fiscal implications

Negligible.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law; provided however, that effective immediately, the commissioner of environmental conservation is author- ized and directed to add, amend, and/or repeal any rule or regulation necessary for the timely implementation of this act on such effective date.