Bill Text: NY A06244 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Amended
Bill Title: Authorizes the commissioner of parks, recreation and historic preservation to issue rules, regulations and programs necessary to allow the presence and behavior of dogs in state parks; requires the installation of dog waste stations; requires dogs to be under the direct supervision and control at all times by the owner or custodian of such dogs; makes related provisions.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-01-03 - referred to tourism, parks, arts and sports development [A06244 Detail]
Download: New_York-2023-A06244-Amended.html
STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 6244--B 2023-2024 Regular Sessions IN ASSEMBLY April 3, 2023 ___________ Introduced by M. of A. STERN -- read once and referred to the Committee on Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee -- again reported from said committee with amend- ments, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee AN ACT to amend the parks, recreation and historic preservation law, in relation to allowing the presence of dogs in state parks The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. The parks, recreation and historic preservation law is 2 amended by adding a new section 3.27 to read as follows: 3 § 3.27 Dogs allowed in parks. 1. The commissioner shall adopt any 4 rules, regulations and programs necessary for the presence and behavior 5 of dogs in state parks in a manner consistent with the provisions of 6 this section. 7 2. (a) Dogs shall be allowed in all New York state parks under the 8 jurisdiction of the office during public hours of operation year-round 9 except as provided in subdivision three of this section. 10 (b) All state parks where dogs are permitted shall install and offer 11 dog waste stations, including, but not limited to, disposable recepta- 12 cles and disposable biodegradable waste bags to ensure a clean and 13 hygienic environment for all park visitors. 14 (c) All dogs shall be under direct supervision and control at all 15 times by the owner or custodian of the dog. 16 (d) Dogs shall be leashed at all times unless a state park designates 17 a specific unleashed area. 18 (e) Waste shall be properly removed and disposed of by the owner or 19 custodian of the dog. 20 (f) Dog owners and custodians shall be liable for any damage or harm 21 caused by their dog on park premises and subject to penalties for any 22 violation of this section. EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [] is old law to be omitted. LBD05507-08-3A. 6244--B 2 1 3. In addition to other relevant matters, the rules, regulations, and 2 programs required by subdivision one of this section shall: 3 (a) limit the presence of dogs in the manner and to the extent that 4 the commissioner deems appropriate, including but not limited to 5 restricting the presence of dogs: 6 (i) at certain times of day or certain times of year; and 7 (ii) for the protection of wildlife, other aspects of the environment, 8 the quality of the park, and the experience of other park users; 9 (b) include specific prohibitions providing that dogs shall not be 10 allowed in state parks: 11 (i) during events or activities that are specifically designated as 12 "dog-free"; 13 (ii) if they are deemed a "dangerous dog" pursuant to section one 14 hundred eight of the agriculture and markets law; 15 (iii) without being fully vaccinated pursuant to all laws, rules and 16 regulations requiring such vaccines; 17 (iv) within one hundred feet of any areas restricted for protection of 18 rare, threatened, or endangered species and/or nesting, or within any 19 arboretum; 20 (v) in buildings; 21 (vi) in areas designated for swimming; 22 (vii) in sunbathing areas on beaches; 23 (viii) on golf courses; 24 (ix) on playgrounds and spraygrounds; and 25 (x) at such other times, places, and in such manner as the commission- 26 er may deem appropriate; and 27 (c) set penalties for violations of this section. 28 4. (a) The office shall have the authority to enforce the provisions 29 of this section, including, but not limited to, the power to issue cita- 30 tions and fines for violations. 31 (b) The office shall also have the authority to exclude such owner's 32 dog or dogs from state parks for a period of time if the owner or custo- 33 dian of the dog fails to comply with the provisions of this section or 34 the rules, regulations and programs adopted by the state park system. 35 § 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after 36 it shall have become a law.
