BILL NUMBER: S1377
SPONSOR: SERRANO
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act creating a legislative task force on outdoor environmental educa-
tion and recreation that will benefit residents of New York state by
stewardship and conservation of the environment, an appreciation of the
importance of the wise use of natural resources as well as acknowledg-
ment of the health benefits of time spent in nature
 
PURPOSE:
This bill creates a task force on outdoor environmental education and
recreation. This bill would assemble representatives from various organ-
izations and state agencies to promote development of a framework that
will ensure that New York State has an aggressive outdoor environmental
education and recreation plan that focuses on creating, developing and
retaining opportunities for outdoor learning.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:ò
Section 1 - provides the legislative findings.
Section 2 - provides the objectives of the Legislative Task Force on
outdoor environmental education and recreation.
Section 3 - provides the composition of the Legislative Task Force.
Section 4 - authorizes the task force to report its findings, conclusion
and recommendations by January 1, 2024.
Section 5 - of this bill provides for an immediate effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
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 electronic screen. Visual and physical access to basic types
of open space is vital for everyone, and particularly valuable to chil-
dren growing up in "urban hardscapes" or areas where access to nature is
limited.
Outdoor play has been shown to increase fitness levels, raise levels of
Vitamin D, improve distance vision and lower nearsightedness, decrease
symptoms of ADHD, improve test scores and increase academic performance.
The development of policies that foster stewardship of the environment,
an appreciation of the importance of the wise use of natural resources
and recognition of the health benefits of time spent in nature are
essential to the residents of New York State.
This legislation would assemble representatives from various organiza-
tions and state agencies to promote the development of a framework that
will ensure that New York State has an aggressive outdoor environmental
education and recreation plan which focuses on creating, developing and
retaining opportunities for outdoor learning.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: S.1458 - Passed Senate. Delivered to Assembly
2021-2022: S.5025 - Passed the Senate
2019-2020: 5.3826 Referred to Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and
Recreation
2018: S.4626 Senate Rules
2017: S.4626 Passed Senate
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the State.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.