BILL NUMBER: S7784A
SPONSOR: SCARCELLA-SPANTON
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act relating to the issuance of pool and health memberships to disa-
bled veterans at certain SUNY and CUNY campuses
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To allow disabled veterans to use SUNY and CUNY aquatic facilities.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one provides the definition of "disabled veteran".
Section two requires the State University of New York's Board of Trus-
tees and City University of New York's Board of Trustees to each adopt a
policy to permit disabled veterans to obtain a membership for the use of
fitness and aquatic facilities upon the same terms and conditions as
apply to the general public, but without payment of any fees or other
charges, or at a discounted rate.
Section three sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
New York State is proudly home to one of the largest veteran populations
in the country and it is critical that the State provides them with the
support they earned. This legislation would require certain SUNY and
CUNY campuses that offer membership programs to the public for the use
of fitness facilities and pools to provide free or discounted access to
our disabled veterans.
SUNY Suffolk County Community College currently provides access at no
cost to disabled veterans to its fitness and pool facilities across
several of its campuses. This program was strongly advocated for by
veterans' organizations across Long Island, and it has proven to be
successful.
According to a 2007 study by the National Institute of Health, the most
reported barrier to access to fitness facilities was cost. This state-
wide initiative would alleviate a financial burden for New York Veter-
ans, while increasing access to a healthier lifestyle and improving
physical and mental fitness.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023: A.6507/S.6531
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have
become law.