Hawley, Giglio JM, Brabenec, Byrne, DeStefano, Miller M, Morinello, Norris, Salka, Sayegh, Tague
MLTSPNSR
Ashby, Byrnes, Ra, Reilly, Walsh
Directs the commissioner of transportation, in consultation with the commissioner of the office for people with developmental disabilities, to conduct a statewide study and review of the transportation of individuals with developmental disabilities.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A5543
SPONSOR: Palmesano TITLE OF BILL:
An act directing the commissioner of transportation to conduct a state-
wide study and review of the transportation of individuals with develop-
mental disabilities
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this legislation is to require OPWDD and DOT to conduct a
study on the availability of transportation for developmental disabili-
ties, the decision making authority for non-emergency Medicaid transpor-
tation, and any unique concerns based on regional issues. A report must
be submitted to the Governor and Legislature with the hope of developing
solutions in the future.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Adds a section to unconsolidated law directing the commissioner of
transportation to conduct a statewide study and review.
JUSTIFICATION:
Concerns regarding adequate transportation for individuals with develop-
mental disabilities were raised at almost every forum. In both rural and
suburban areas, concerns were raised about how the lack of adequate
transportation services would affect the current efforts to move indi-
viduals with developmental disabilities from sheltered workshops to
integrated employment opportunities in the community.
This bill requires OPWDD and DOT to conduct a study on the availability
of transportation for developmental disabilities, the decision making
authority for non-emergency Medicaid transportation, and any unique
concerns based on regional issues. A report must be submitted to the
Governor and Legislature for the purpose of developing solutions in the
future.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2019-2020, referred to transportation
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
5543
2021-2022 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 19, 2021
___________
Introduced by M. of A. PALMESANO, HAWLEY, J. M. GIGLIO, BRABENEC, BYRNE,
DeSTEFANO, M. MILLER, MORINELLO, NORRIS, SALKA, SAYEGH, TAGUE --
Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. ASHBY, BYRNES, RA, REILLY, WALSH --
read once and referred to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT directing the commissioner of transportation to conduct a state-
wide study and review of the transportation of individuals with devel-
opmental disabilities
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The commissioner of the department of transportation, in
2 consultation with the commissioner of the office for people with devel-
3 opmental disabilities and any other department, division, board, bureau,
4 commission, agency or public authority of the state or any political
5 subdivision thereof deemed necessary by the commissioner of transporta-
6 tion and the commissioner of the office for people with developmental
7 disabilities, shall conduct a statewide study and review of the trans-
8 portation of individuals with developmental disabilities. Such study
9 shall include, but not be limited to, geographic location challenges,
10 the availability of transportation for people with developmental disa-
11 bilities, the decision making authority for non-emergency Medicaid
12 transportation, and any unique concerns based on regional issues. The
13 study shall also look at how community homes are currently determined
14 and how such homes will be determined going forward taking into account
15 transportation availability and options.
16 § 2. The commissioner of the office for people with developmental
17 disabilities and the commissioner of transportation shall, on or before
18 December 31, 2021, submit a report of such study, including detailed
19 recommendations and findings, to the governor, the temporary president
20 of the senate, the speaker of the assembly, the minority leader of the
21 senate, the minority leader of the assembly, and the chairs of the
22 senate and assembly mental health and transportation committees.
23 § 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08078-01-1
