BILL NUMBER: S6137REVISED 3/30/23

SPONSOR: MANNION
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the parks, recreation and historic preservation law, in
relation to providing for individuals with a mental disability to use
any of the public campsites, parks and other public places of recreation
in the state without the payment of any fees or other charges

 
PURPOSE:

The purpose of this bill is to allow any person who has a mental disa-
bility, who receives services or is eligible to receive services for
such disability, to use public campsites, parks, and other public places
of recreation in the State free of charge.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of this bill would allow any person who has a mental disabili-
ty, who receives services or is eligible to receive services for such
disability, to use public campsites, parks, and other public places of
              

recreation in the State free of charge.

Section 2 of this bill provides that the effective date shall take
effect one hundred and eighty days after it shall become law.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

The State offers rich and abundant opportunities for residents to take
part in outdoor activities with over 8,500 campsites and 180 State parks
available to all New Yorkers. However, for both avid and casual nature-
lovers, visiting State parks can quickly become expensive.  Currently,
individuals with disabilities are able to access the Access Park pass;
however, individuals are required to be receiving services in order to
be eligible for the pass. This bill would expand access to individuals
who have a disability regardless of whether they are receiving services
or not. The State should offer greater use of such places to individuals
with a disability, which includes mental illness, intellectual disabili-
ty, developmental disability, or an addictive disease, free of charge.

There are many programs across the country that allow individuals with a
disability to access campgrounds or public parks at a discounted price.
For example, the California Department of Parks and Recreation offers
the California Disabled Discount Pass, which provides individuals with a
disability with a 50% discount on family camping, vehicle day use, and
boat use fees at California State Parks. Florida offers the Overnight
Accommodation Discount, which issues a 50% discount on base camping fees
to residents with a disability. There is also the Access Pass, a federal
program that allows individuals who are disabled to use over 2,000
recreation sites across the country at a discounted rate or for free.

The State should follow in those footsteps to grant the use of State
parks to individuals who are disabled at a discounted rate. Allowing
individuals with a disability to use campsites and other public places
of recreation would signify the State's continued support for inclusivi-
ty and fairness for all residents. This bill would allow any person who
has a disability, who receives services or is eligible to receive

services for such disability, to use public campsites, parks, and other
public places of recreation in the State free of charge.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This bill will take effect one hundred and eighty days after it shall
become law.