The New York State Senate

                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                  1104

                       2013-2014 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                               (PREFILED)

                             January 9, 2013
                               ___________

Introduced by M. of A. GUNTHER, CASTRO, ROBINSON, CROUCH, LUPARDO, SALA-
  DINO,  ENGLEBRIGHT, ROBERTS -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. BARCLAY,
  FINCH, GLICK, JORDAN, ORTIZ, TITONE -- read once and referred  to  the
  Committee on Environmental Conservation

AN  ACT to authorize and direct the commissioners of health and environ-
  mental 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 ASSEM-
BLY, 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 elec-
tronic 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 partic-
ularly 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  accom-
plished  by  the  creation of a study on outdoor environmental education
and recreation.
  S 2. The commissioners of health and  environmental  conservation  are
hereby authorized and directed to study and develop a long-term strategy

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                           LBD01644-01-3

A. 1104                             2

for integrating an aggressive outdoor environmental education and recre-
ation plan for children that focuses on creating, developing and retain-
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.
  S 3. This act shall take effect immediately.