What's happening
This bill waives entrance and use fees at public campsites and parks for first responders disabled by certified World Trade Center medical conditions.
Why it matters
Expands recognition of 9/11-related disabilities. by granting fee waivers to first responders with certified World Trade Center medical conditions, acknowledging the long-term health and service impacts from the 9/11 attacks.
Provides tangible support and access to recreation. for disabled first responders, which may improve quality of life and mental health by reducing barriers to enjoying state parks and outdoor activities.
Aligns benefits with those already provided to other groups. (such as veterans and individuals with certain physical disabilities), ensuring more equitable treatment for first responders affected by their service during the 9/11 response and recovery efforts.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Free Park Access for Responders
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 7
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to cultural affairs, tourism, parks and recreation
- Referred to cultural affairs, tourism, parks and recreation
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5846
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 15, 2019
Introduced by Sen. KAPLAN -- 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 waiving fees at public campsites, parks and other public places of recreation for certain first responders
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 13.19 of the parks, recreation and historic preservation law, as amended by chapter 649 of the laws of 1977, is amended to read as follows:
§ 13.19 Free use of campsites. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, any person who is blind, non-ambulatory, or an amputee or any veteran of the wars of the United States, who has at any time been awarded by the federal government an allowance towards the purchase of an automobile or is eligible for such an award or any certified first responder who is disabled as a result of a certified World Trade Center medical condition, shall be permitted to use any of the public campsites, parks and other public places of recreation in this state, upon the same terms and conditions as apply to the general public, but without the payment of any fees or other charges for the use of such campsites, parks and other public places of recreation.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11749-02-9
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 waiving fees at public campsites, parks and other public places of recreation for certain first responders
Purpose or general idea of bill
This legislation would extend the free use of New York state public campsites to certified first responders who are disabled as a result of a certified World Trade Center medical condition.
Summary of provisions
Section 1:
Section one of this bill amends section 13.19 of the parks, recreation and historic preservation law to permit certified first responders who are disabled as a result of a certified World Trade Center medical condition the free use of New York public parks and campsites.
Section two of this bill provides that this act shall take immediately.
Justification
Each day, the number of deaths for first responders who participated in World Trade Center rescue, recovery and cleanup operations continues to grow. Almost eighteen years after the attacks on the World Trade Center, over ten thousand first responders and others in the disaster area have been diagnosed with cancer and other debilitating illnesses, and more than 2,000 deaths have been related to 9/11 related illness.
Even for first responders who are still in good health, the fear of future illness is constantly in their minds. However, these heroes still have to focus on providing financially for their families, and preparing for the potential risk of developing illness as a result of their call to serve on that fateful day. Exempting certified first responders who are disabled as a result of their heroism from park and campsite access fees will provide first responders and their families the opportunity to enjoy New York's public lands without the financial cost of access.
Prior legislative history
None
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
Minimal.
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.