S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
4528
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
I N S E N A T E
February 6, 2025
___________
Introduced by Sen. SCARCELLA-SPANTON -- read twice and ordered printed,
and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Veterans, Home-
land Security and Military Affairs
AN ACT to amend the veterans' services law, in relation to free use of
state parks, recreation facilities and historic sites by veterans
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The veterans' services law is amended by adding a new
section 29-c to read as follows:
§ 29-C. FREE USE OF STATE PARKS, RECREATION FACILITIES AND HISTORIC
SITES BY VETERANS. 1. VETERANS, WHO ARE RESIDENTS OF THIS STATE, SHALL
BE ENTITLED TO THE USE OF ANY PARK, RECREATION FACILITY AND HISTORIC
SITE UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE OFFICE OF PARKS, RECREATION AND
HISTORIC PRESERVATION OR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
UPON THE SAME TERMS AS THE PUBLIC, BUT WITHOUT THE PAYMENT OF ANY FEE OR
OTHER CHARGES FOR USE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO PARKING FEES, CAMP-
ING FEES AND ENTRANCE FEES.
2. THE OFFICE OF PARKS, RECREATION AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND THE
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION SHALL, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE
DEPARTMENT, DEVELOP A PROGRAM TO PROMOTE AND PROVIDE INFORMATION
PERTAINING TO THE BENEFITS PROVIDED UNDER THIS SECTION, WHICH AT A MINI-
MUM SHALL INCLUDE PROVIDING INFORMATION ON THE WEBSITES OF THE DEPART-
MENT, THE OFFICE OF PARKS, RECREATION AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND THE
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION AS TO HOW VETERANS, WHO ARE
RESIDENTS OF THIS STATE, MAY ACCESS AND USE THE PARKS, RECREATION FACIL-
ITIES AND HISTORIC SITES DESCRIBED IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION
FREE OF CHARGE.
3. THE OFFICE OF PARKS, RECREATION AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND THE
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION SHALL, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE
DEPARTMENT, PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS TO ADMINISTER THE BENEFITS
PROVIDED FOR UNDER THIS SECTION.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08331-01-5
S. 4528 2
4. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION THE TERM "VETERAN" SHALL HAVE THE SAME
MEANING AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN SECTION ONE OF THIS ARTICLE AND SHALL
ALSO INCLUDE ANY VETERAN WHO HAS A QUALIFYING CONDITION AS DEFINED IN
SECTION ONE OF THIS ARTICLE AND HAS RECEIVED A DISCHARGE OTHER THAN BAD
CONDUCT OR DISHONORABLE OR IS A DISCHARGED LGBT VETERAN AS DEFINED IN
SECTION ONE OF THIS ARTICLE, AND HAS RECEIVED A DISCHARGE OTHER THAN BAD
CONDUCT OR DISHONORABLE.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of April next succeeding
the date on which it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the
addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary
for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized
to be made and completed on or before such effective date.