What's happening
The bill allows veterans with a service-connected disability or Purple Heart recipients free use of New York state parks and campsites.
Why it matters
Expands recognition and support for veterans. by including those with a ten percent or greater service-connected disability and Purple Heart recipients, not just those with severe physical disabilities, in free access to state recreational facilities.
Reduces barriers to outdoor recreation and mental health resources. for a broader group of veterans, which may improve wellbeing and quality of life for those living with visible and invisible service-related injuries.
Signals state-level acknowledgment of sacrifice. by granting these benefits, potentially encouraging more veterans to engage with state services and fostering a sense of inclusion and appreciation within the veteran community.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Free Parks for Disabled Veterans
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to veterans, homeland security and military affairs
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.
Free Park Access for Veterans
In Assembly Committee · Veterans' Affairs · Sponsor Jake Ashby
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7637
IN SENATE
February 3, 2020
Introduced by Sen. JORDAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs
AN ACT to amend the parks, recreation and historic preservation law, in relation to allowing veterans with a service-connected disability or Purple Heart free use of parks and campsites
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 parks and 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 veteran of the wars of the United States with a ten percent or greater service-connected disability as certified by the United States veterans' administration, or any recipient of the Purple Heart 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.
LBD02029-01-9
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 allowing veterans with a service-connected disability or Purple Heart free use of parks and campsites
Purpose or general idea of bill
To provide free use of state parks and campsites for disabled veterans and recipients of the Purple Heart.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends section 13.19 of the parks, recreation and historic preservation law to require that veterans with a ten percent or greater service-connected disability and recipients of the Purple Heart are permitted to use state campsites, parks and other public places of recreation. free of charge.
Section 2 provides the effective date.
Justification
The Purple Heart is awarded to service members of the US military who were killed or wounded by enemy action. Providing free access to state .parks and campsites for disabled veterans and those wounded in service to our nation is one small way that we can acknowledge and show appreci- ation for the sacrifices they have made. This bill would ensure that disabled veterans and those wounded in action have the ability to enjoy the all the natural beauty and recreational opportunities that New York State parks have to offer.
Prior legislative history
New in Senate;
2018 - A.10965 - Referred to Veterans' Affairs
Fiscal implications
To be determined
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.