SB1042 Summary

• Amends the Recreational Use of Land and Water Areas Act to expand the definition of "recreational or conservation purpose" to include general public entry for conservation, resource management, educational, or outdoor recreational use, in addition to hunting and recreational shooting.

• Adds new definitions of "invites" and "permits" based on reasonable person standard of the owner's words or conduct, with no economic interest required for an invitation.

• Removes language conferring invitee or licensee legal status on recreational users and clarifies that land owners who permit recreational use without charge do not extend assurance of safety or assume liability for injuries.

• Modifies liability exceptions to specify that owners who "invite" (as newly defined) or charge for recreational use remain liable, while removing special exception for land leased to the State or political subdivisions.

• Effective date is January 1, 2014, with all changes applying only to causes of action accruing on or after the effective date.