New York Assembly Bill A05716

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/20/25
• Refer: 2/20/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Directs the commissioner of parks, recreation and historic preservation to make sunscreen available at the entrance to all state parks, recreational facilities, historic sites or programs and other appropriate locations at the discretion of such commissioner; defines term as any topical sunscreen product approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration for over-the-counter use for the purpose of avoiding overexposure to the sun and not for medical treatment of any injury or illness.

Summary

This bill would amend the Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Law to require the commissioner of parks, recreation and historic preservation to make sunscreen available at the entrance to all state parks, recreational facilities, historic sites, and state programs, as well as other locations the commissioner deems appropriate. The bill also defines sunscreen for this purpose as an FDA-approved over-the-counter topical sunscreen product used to prevent overexposure to the sun, and not a product intended for medical treatment. The bill retains existing law requiring informational signs and brochures about the dangers of sun exposure and skin cancer, while adding a new access-based measure intended to help visitors protect themselves from UV exposure. It would take effect 120 days after becoming law, with authority for any necessary implementing rules or regulations to be adopted in advance of that date.

Impact

If enacted, the bill would impose a new operational requirement on the state parks system and related state-run recreational and historic facilities to stock and provide sunscreen at entrances or other designated locations. It would expand the duties of the commissioner of parks, recreation and historic preservation and likely require procurement, distribution, and implementation procedures across affected state sites. The measure does not create a new private right of action or alter criminal law, but it would change how state facilities manage public health and visitor amenities.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears to be framed as a public health and consumer-access initiative with a straightforward protective purpose. There is no recorded committee debate or vote history in the provided materials, so no formal opposition or support can be identified from the legislative record here. The overall tone of the proposal is preventive and practical, focusing on reducing sun exposure and skin cancer risk for visitors to state facilities.

Contention

No specific points of contention are documented in the provided transcripts or voting history. Potential areas of debate, if raised, would likely involve the cost and logistics of supplying sunscreen statewide, the scope of locations covered, and whether the commissioner should have discretion over where sunscreen is made available. Another possible issue is how to define acceptable products and whether the state should provide sunscreen free of charge or merely make it available for purchase or use.