What's happening
This bill allows persons with disabilities and their immediate families free lifetime access to all New York state parks and recreational facilities.
Why it matters
Expands accessibility and inclusion. by removing financial barriers for people with disabilities and their families, enabling them to participate more fully in outdoor and recreational activities across New York State.
Defines "disability" broadly. , covering physical, mental, medical, genetic, or neurological conditions, as well as a record or perception of impairment, ensuring the policy is inclusive of a wide range of disabilities.
Provides a lifetime benefit. the pass does not expire for the individual, which reduces administrative burdens and ensures continuous access without the need for repeated renewals.
Requires the state to set up clear procedures. for issuing these passes and identifying eligible individuals, which could shape how efficiently and fairly the program is administered.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Free Park Access for Disabled
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 38
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to cultural affairs, tourism, parks and recreation
- Referred to cultural affairs, tourism, parks and recreation
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5501
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 3, 2019
Introduced by Sen. CARLUCCI -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation
AN ACT to amend the parks, recreation and historic preservation law, in relation to access to state parks and recreational facilities by persons with a disability without charge
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The parks, recreation and historic preservation law is amended by adding a new section 13.22 to read as follows:
§ 13.22 State park and recreational facility access; persons with a disability. 1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the office shall provide to a person with a disability access to all state parks and recreational facilities under the jurisdiction of the office or other state agency, entitling such person and his or her immediate family to a pass to such state parks and recreational facilities without the charge of any admission.
2. The pass for persons with a disability shall be available at regional park headquarters and such other places as the office shall designate. Such pass shall be issued in a manner and form to be determined by the office that shall be sufficient to identify the holder as disabled and shall be valid for the life of such person.
3. For the purposes of this section, "disability" means (a) a physical, mental or medical impairment resulting from anatomical, physiological, genetic or neurological conditions which prevents the exercise of a normal bodily function or is demonstrable by medically accepted clinical or laboratory diagnostic techniques or (b) a record of such an impairment or (c) a condition regarded by others as such an impairment.
4. The office shall promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10655-01-9
S. 5501 2
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rules or regulations necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date is authorized to be made on or before such effective date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the parks, recreation and historic preservation law, in relation to access to state parks and recreational facilities by persons with a disability without charge
Purpose
To allow persons with disabilities and their immediate family to access state parks and recreational facilities without charge.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1: The parks, recreation and historic preservation law is amended by adding a new section 13.22 with 4 parts.
1) Provides a person with a disability, as well as his or her immediate family, a pass for admission to any state parks and recreational facili- ties under the jurisdiction of the office or other state agency, free of charge.
2) The pass for admission shall be available at regional park headquar- ters and other places designated by the office. Such passes will suffi- ciently identify the holder as disabled and shall be valid for life.
3) Defines "disability"
4) The office shall promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. Section 2: Effective date
Justification
Currently, the federal government grants lifetime passes to national parks and federal recreation lands to those with a permanent disability free of charge. The passes extend to all other occupants of the vehicle the disabled person is traveling in, allowing for members of the family access to national parks and federal recreational lands free of charge as well.
New York State does not currently have such a program in place to allows disabled persons free access to state parks and recreational facilities. This bill would give disabled persons these privileges. This would allow them the opportunity to enjoy the parks and facilities of the state without the worry of affording the fee to enter.
Prior legislative history
None
Fiscal implications
Undetermined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect 120 days after it has become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.