A893

An Act concerning prescriptions for exercise and supplementing P.L.1983, c.324 (C.13:1L-1 et seq.).

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the “Park Prescription Program Act.”

2. A practitioner as defined in section 2 of P.L.1970, c.226 (C.24:21-2) may write a prescription for a special State park admission pass valid for free admission to any State park to a patient diagnosed with an obesity-related condition including, but not limited to, high blood pressure, coronary disease, asthma, sleep apnea and other respiratory disorders, cancer, liver disease, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, depression, diabetes, or any other physical or mental condition caused by or associated with obesity. The practitioner may also provide the patient with information concerning recommended exercises and activities appropriate to the patient’s condition.

An initial prescription issued pursuant to this section shall be valid for two 12-week periods and may be renewed thereafter for an additional period of 12 weeks. There shall be no restriction on the number of renewals a patient may receive.

The department shall not charge an admission fee for entrance into a State park or forest by a person prescribed a special State park admission pass during the period the pass is valid.

3. The Commissioner of Health, in consultation with the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection, shall develop a prescription blank for a special State park admission pass for use pursuant to this act.

4. The Division of Parks and Forestry in the Department of Environmental Protection shall develop an informational brochure describing suggested activities, exercises, and workouts consistent with this act that utilize existing State park programs and facilities. The Division shall additionally provide informational materials concerning the Park Prescription Program to the Department of Health for dissemination to the medical community.

5. Not later than one year following the effective date of this act, and annually thereafter, the Director of the Division of Parks and Forestry in the Department of Environmental Protection and the Commissioner of the Department of Health shall submit to the Governor, and to the Legislature pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), a report on the Park Prescription Program. The report shall include information concerning the number of prescriptions for special State park admission passes issued, the number prescription renewals issued annually, including the average number of renewals per patient, the rates and trends of State park usage by patients prescribed a State park pass, and any other information indicative of the scope and effectiveness of the program. The report may include recommendations for legislation or other action appropriate for adoption or consideration by the Legislature.

6. The Commissioner of Health and the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection, pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), shall adopt rules and regulations as are necessary to effectuate the provisions of this act.

7. This act shall take effect on the first day of the fourth month next following enactment, but the Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Protection may take such anticipatory action in advance thereof as shall be necessary for the implementation of this act.

STATEMENT

This bill would create “Prescriptions for Parks,” which would allow practitioners to write a prescription for a New Jersey State Park Pass for patients diagnosed with obesity-related conditions – such as diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, and heart disease – which may be treated with exercise. This program would be similar to others implemented around the country in Indiana, New York, New Mexico, California, and Chicago.

The special pass would be valid for free entrance and parking to all 50 New Jersey State Park facilities. A prescription would be good for two 12-week sessions or 24 weeks and would have to be renewed every 12 weeks or otherwise the patient would be required to pay the regular entrance and parking fees.

The Division of Parks and Forestry in the Department of Environmental Protection would develop a brochure for suggested workouts within park facilities, utilizing already established activity programs and trails. The Division of Parks and Forestry would also provide informational materials concerning the Park Prescription Program to the Department of Health for dissemination to the medical community.

By linking the medical community with public parks, New Jersey residents will be encouraged to hike, walk, jog, swim, and kayak in nature – all while improving their health. The Division of Parks and Forestry would develop a brochure for suggested workouts within park facilities, utilizing already-established activity programs and trails.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one-third of adult Americans are considered obese and at risk for heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Obesity has been linked with numerous health conditions including high blood pressure, coronary disease, asthma, sleep apnea and other respiratory disorders, cancer, liver disease, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, mental health conditions, and diabetes.

Numerous studies have associated increased physical activity with improved health and lower health care expenses. At least 10 percent of the nation’s health care costs are caused by obesity. Sedentary individuals who increased their physical activity to at least three days a week saved an average of $2,200 in health care charges per year. Furthermore, people with access to parks are 50 percent more likely to maintain a walking regimen.

Public lands are an underutilized resource and by incentivizing New Jersey residents to exercise and visit State parks – citizens will be healthier, insurance companies will shoulder less of a burden, health care tax dollars saved, and the State’s beautiful parks will be highlighted and enjoyed.