Sponsored by:
Senator VIN GOPAL
District 11 (Monmouth)
SYNOPSIS
"Penny's Law"; requires DEP to develop beach accessibility guidelines for persons with disabilities.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning guidelines for beach accessibility for persons with disabilities, designated as Penny's Law, and supplementing Title 13 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. Within one year after the effective date of this act, the Department of Environmental Protection shall, in consultation with the Department of Human Services, develop guidelines for specific facilities and accommodations necessary to provide accessibility to beaches for persons with disabilities. The guidelines shall include recommendations for ramps, restrooms, showers, boardwalks, surf chairs, parking, and any other facilities deemed appropriate.
b. When developing the guidelines pursuant to subsection a. of this section, the Department of Environmental Protection shall:
(1) consult with persons and organizations that have knowledge and experience in assisting individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The Department of Human Services shall establish a process by which such persons and organizations will be informed of their ability to provide input and recommendations in association with the development of beach accessibility guidelines under this section; and
(2) consider, as appropriate, the guidelines for beach access routes and facilities on federal lands, which have been adopted by the United States Access Board.
c. Upon adoption of the guidelines pursuant to subsection a. of this section, the Department of Environmental Protection shall publish the guidelines on its Internet website and distribute the guidelines to every county and municipality with publicly-owned beach or waterfront property.
d. The Department of Environmental Protection shall design a uniform promotional label or sign that may be displayed by a State or local government at any beach that complies with the guidelines adopted pursuant to subsection a. of this section.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill, designated as "Penny's Law," would require the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), in consultation with the Department of Human Services, to develop guidelines for specific facilities and accommodations necessary to provide accessibility to beaches for persons with disabilities. The guidelines would be required to include recommendations for ramps, restrooms, showers, boardwalks, surf chairs, parking, and any other facilities deemed appropriate. The bill requires the DEP, when developing the guidelines, to consult with any persons or organizations with knowledge and experience in assisting individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The bill requires the Department of Human Services to establish a process by which such persons and organizations will be informed of their ability to provide input and recommendations in association with the development of beach accessibility guidelines. The DEP is also required to consider, as appropriate, the guidelines for beach access routes and facilities on federal lands adopted by the United States Access Board. The bill requires the DEP to publish the guidelines on its Internet website and to distribute the guidelines to every county and municipality with publicly-owned beach or waterfront property.
This bill also requires the DEP to design a uniform label or sign that may be displayed by a State or local government at any beach that complies with the accessibility guidelines developed under the bill.