HP0907, LD 1246, item 1, An Act To Protect the Health and Safety of Maine State Park Visitors and Staff

An Act To Protect the Health and Safety of Maine State Park Visitors and Staff

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §1804, sub-§5, as amended by PL 2001, c. 604, §4; PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §7; and PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §24, is further amended to read:

5. Bureau budget. Prepare and submit to the commissioner the budget for the bureau; and

Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §1804, sub-§6, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 604, §5 and amended by PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §7 and PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §24, is further amended to read:

6. Restrictions on public access. Post notice of any restrictions to public access at points commonly used to access the land or at a facility or structure where such rules and notices are regularly posted. The director may restrict public access to any portion of the land or waters within the bureau's jurisdiction when the restrictions reasonably relate to protecting public health, safety or welfare or the economic interests or natural resources of the State . ; and

Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §1804, sub-§7 is enacted to read:

7. Minimum staffing levels. Determine minimum levels of staffing for all state parks, except Baxter State Park, and historic sites and national parks that are controlled and managed by the State. When making a determination of staffing levels under this subsection, the director shall consider for each park and historic site the following:

A. Visitor capacity limits;

B. Historical data regarding visitor use;

C. Availability of local emergency response services;

D. If local emergency response services are used, response time of emergency response;

E. Distance to medical services;

F. Communication capacity of staff to summon emergency response services or assistance;

G. Relative to emergency response, training and authority levels of staff;

H. Emergency planning issues specific to a park or historic site;

I. Historical record of emergency response incidents and near misses; and

J. Historical record of severe weather emergencies.

For purposes of this subsection, historical data must include 10 years of data at a minimum.

summary

This bill requires the Director of the Bureau of Parks and Lands within the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to determine minimum levels of staffing for all state parks, except Baxter State Park, and historic sites and national parks that are controlled and managed by the State. The bill also requires the director to consider a list of factors, including, but not limited to, visitor capacity limits, availability of emergency response services and emergency planning issues specific to a park or historic site, when making a determination of staffing levels for each park or historic site.

HP0907 LD 1246	Session - 129th Maine Legislature		LR 2134 Item 1
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