An Act authorizing mushroom picking for personal use on certain state park lands

This bill amends Massachusetts state law to allow individuals to collect mushrooms for personal, non-commercial use on specific state parks, forest recreation areas, and reservations managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. It grants the department commissioner the authority to designate specific zones where mushroom picking is prohibited and to establish rules for harvesting, while also clarifying that the term "take" includes picking, cutting, or removing mushrooms from these lands. Additionally, the legislation includes a liability protection clause, stating that the department and its employees will not be held responsible for injuries or deaths resulting from mushroom collection or consumption unless such harm was caused by willful or reckless conduct by the department. The changes will not take effect until six months after the bill is passed into law.