What's happening
This bill directs New York's health and environmental conservation commissioners to develop a strategy promoting outdoor environmental education and recreation for children.
Why it matters
Recognizes a public health and equity issue. The bill explicitly connects the decline in outdoor activity among children to rising childhood obesity and acknowledges disparities in access to nature, especially for kids in urban environments—framing outdoor education as both a health and social justice matter.
Requires a comprehensive, data-driven approach. It mandates a strategy that considers health trends (like obesity), economic factors affecting access to the outdoors, and other relevant issues, aiming for a nuanced, evidence-based plan rather than a one-size-fits-all solution.
Seeks broad input and collaboration. By directing commissioners to consult with advisory bodies and other stakeholders, the bill encourages engagement from a wide range of experts and community organizations, increasing the likelihood that the strategy will be effective and widely supported.
Could lead to future legislation and funding. The required report may propose new laws or policies to expand outdoor education and recreation, potentially unlocking resources or setting new standards for how New York supports children’s access to nature.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Boost Outdoor Education for Kids
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Substituted by A735
- Ordered to third reading cal.2016
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to cultural affairs, tourism, parks and recreation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Study Outdoor Education Strategy
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Aileen Gunther
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3019
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 19, 2017
Introduced by Sen. RITCHIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation
AN ACT to authorize and direct the commissioners of health and environmental conservation to study and develop a long-term strategy to encourage and promote outdoor environmental education and recreational opportunities in New York state
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Legislative findings. The legislature recognizes that in the last two decades, childhood has moved indoors. The average American boy or girl spends just four to seven minutes each day in unstructured outdoor play, and more than seven hours each day in front of an electronic screen. The decline in the appreciation and prevalence of outdoor recreation opportunities profoundly impacts the wellness of our state's youth. The correlation between increasing childhood obesity rates and the decline in outdoor recreation is undeniable.
Additionally, the legislature recognizes that visual and physical access to basic types of open space is vital for everyone, and particularly valuable to children growing up in "urban hardscapes", or areas where access to nature is limited.
The legislature further finds that the development of policies that foster stewardship of the environment and recognition of the health benefits of time spent in nature are essential to the residents of New York state. The legislature concludes that this can best be accomplished by the creation of a study on outdoor environmental education and recreation.
§ 2. The commissioners of health and environmental conservation are hereby authorized and directed to study and develop a long-term strategy for integrating an aggressive outdoor environmental education and recreation plan for children that focuses on creating, developing and retain-
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02787-01-7
S. 3019 2
ing opportunities for outdoor play and learning in New York state. Such strategy shall be based on an analysis of the overall health of our youth including the rise in childhood obesity rates, economic trends and their impact on access to outdoor spaces as well as all other factors necessary to develop a state-level blueprint for outdoor education and recreating. Such strategy shall be developed in consultation with health and environmental conservation advisory bodies created or authorized by statute and such other organizations or persons as the commissioners shall deem appropriate. Within one year of the effective date of this act, the commissioners shall submit a report of their findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation, if any, to the governor and the legislature.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to authorize and direct the commissioners of health and environmental conservation to study and develop a long-term strategy to encourage and promote outdoor environmental education and recreational opportunities in New York state
Purpose
To promote and encourage outdoor environmental education and recreational opportunities in New York State.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 provides the Legislative findings.
Section 2 authorizes and directs the commissioners of health and environmental conservation to study and develop a long term strategy for integrating an aggressive outdoor environmental education and recreation plan for children that focuses on creating, developing and retaining opportunities for outdoor play and learning in New York State.
Section 3 is the effective date.
Justification
The average American boy or girl spends just four to seven minutes each day in unstructured outdoor play, and more than seven hours each day in front of an electronic screen.
Visual and physical access to basic types of open space is vital for everyone, and particularly valuable to children growing up in "urban hardscapes" or areas where access to nature is limited.
Outdoor play has been shown to increase fitness levels, raise levels of Vitamin D, improve distance vision and lower nearsightedness, decrease symptoms of ADHD, improve test scores and increase academic performance.
The development of policies that foster stewardship of the environment, an appreciation of the importance of the wise use of natural resources and recognition of the health benefits of time spent in nature are essential to the residents of New York State.
Legislative history
2015-16: A1027/S7806 Passed the Senate 2013-14: A1104 Passed Assembly/S3921 Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation 2011-12: A8013 Ways and Means/S5207 Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation
Fiscal implications
None to State.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.