Bill > SB1350

This bill establishes the "Outdoor Rx Program" within the Arizona Department of Health Services to provide grants for outdoor-based therapy programs that benefit state citizens, focusing on environmental, ecological, agricultural, or natural resource-based activities. The program allows the department to award grants to public agencies and contract with public or private entities to develop and implement these therapy programs, with specific rules for grant recipients regarding technical standards, reporting, legal compliance, and financial record-keeping, and the department reserves the right to terminate programs that fail to meet requirements. An advisory committee, composed of members appointed by various state agencies and outdoor organizations, will be established to assist the department in developing and administering the program, and will be responsible for creating the grant application form. Grant eligibility will prioritize programs that utilize veterans, promote healthy lifestyles through outdoor recreation, secure matching resources, create partnerships, serve a maximum number of participants (especially veterans or those recovering from trauma), use state parks or natural venues, employ research-based therapy, foster an understanding of nature, and include program evaluation. Eligible activities include outdoor recreation, environmental studies, agriculture, natural resource-based activities, conservation, ecological activities, and stewardship or restoration, while ineligible activities include lobbying, non-compliant actions, and organized youth sports. The bill also establishes an "Outdoor Rx Program Fund" to receive appropriations, gifts, grants, and donations, which will be administered by the department and used solely for the program, and mandates an annual report to the governor and legislature detailing grant awards, recipients, purposes, and financial plans.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/84910