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HOUSE BILL NO. 294
INTRODUCED BY J. PRICE
AN ACT ENCOURAGING MUNICIPALITIES AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO DEVELOP ACCESSIBLE PLAYGROUNDS; APPROPRIATING FUNDS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF FISH, WILDLIFE, AND PARKS TO DISTRIBUTE GRANTS TO HELP MUNICIPALITIES AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS SECURE ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO DEVELOP ACCESSIBLE PLAYGROUNDS; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, there are 8,674 children with disabilities between the ages of 1 and 17 living in communities across Montana; and
WHEREAS, many playgrounds across Montana are not accessible to or usable by children with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, many communities throughout Montana lack the funding needed to develop accessible playgrounds; and
WHEREAS, other federal and private funding sources often require matching funds; and
WHEREAS, a modest state investment will allow communities to leverage limited resources to allow children and adults of all abilities the opportunity to play together.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
Section 1. Appropriation. (1) There is appropriated $100,000 for the biennium beginning July 1, 2017, from the state special revenue account provided for in 61-3-321(19)(a) for state parks to the department of fish, wildlife, and parks, parks division, to distribute grants to municipalities and school districts to supplement local and private funds in order to secure other grant funding for developing accessible playgrounds that requires a match.
(2) Any state funds distributed must be matched at a rate of 1 to 1, with $1 in state funds to $1 in local funds. A grant may not exceed $10,000. The department shall ensure that funds are distributed only as necessary to secure other grant funding.
(3) The money must be used to leverage other grant funding that will increase accessibility in existing playgrounds or for the costs of accessibility features in new playgrounds. The money may not be used during initial construction for accessibility features required by the Americans With Disabilities Act for newly constructed playgrounds or to upgrade existing restroom or parking facilities that are not compliant with applicable accessibility standards.
Section 2. Effective date. [This act] is effective July 1, 2017.
- END -
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Version of HB 294 (HB0294.ENR)
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Status of this Bill | 2017
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