2023 -- H 6127

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LC001686

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO PARKS AND RECREATION AREAS -- TOWN FORESTS, PARKS, AND

RECREATION SYSTEMS

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Morales, Sanchez, Cruz, Potter, and Speakman

     Date Introduced: March 03, 2023

     Referred To: House Municipal Government & Housing

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 32-3 of the General Laws entitled "Town Forests, Parks, and

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Recreation Systems" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     32-3-13. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) -- Park restrooms.

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     (a) Any public park the size of one acre or more shall be required to have an Americans

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with Disabilities Act (ADA) public restroom for the public to use during park hours. If there is a

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lack of sewage lines and the development of a standard ADA public restroom is not feasible, the

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park will be required to offer at least two (2) port-a-potties or another restroom alternative. If a

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port-a-potty is deployed, regular maintenance and sanitization shall be required.

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     (b) All public parks will be required to comply by July 1, 2025; however, extensions may

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be requested from the department of environmental management.

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     (c) The department shall be charged with overseeing the compliance of all public parks

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with subsection (a) of this section and may promulgate rules and regulations it deems necessary to

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implement the provisions of this section.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC001686

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO PARKS AND RECREATION AREAS -- TOWN FORESTS, PARKS, AND

RECREATION SYSTEMS

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     This act would require any public park the size of one acre or more to provide American

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with Disabilities Act (ADA) public restrooms, if feasible, with enforcement and compliance

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delegated to the department of environmental management (DEM), or alternatively two (2) port-a-

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potties by July 1, 2025.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC001686

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