What's happening
This bill exempts paratransit-eligible individuals aged 80 or older from recertification requirements, requiring only a recent physician's note for initial application.
Why it matters
Reduces administrative burdens for seniors. By eliminating ongoing recertification, this bill eases paperwork and bureaucratic hurdles for paratransit-eligible individuals aged 80 and older, potentially reducing stress and confusion for seniors and their caregivers.
Improves continuous access to transportation. Ensuring that once approved, these seniors do not risk losing essential paratransit services due to missed or delayed recertification, which can be particularly important for those with declining health or limited mobility.
Relies on medical judgment for eligibility. By shifting the requirement to a recent physician’s note for the initial application, the bill centers medical professionals’ assessments rather than repeated administrative reviews, potentially leading to more accurate and compassionate service provision.
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Who cares
Paratransit-eligible individuals age 80 and older
They would need only a licensed physician’s letter dated within the preceding 30 days confirming continued need to make a single application, and would be exempt from recertification once approved.
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
The MTA would have to apply the simplified application requirements and recertification exemption for eligible individuals age 80 and older.
Licensed physicians
Their correspondence confirming that paratransit remains necessary would provide the required documentation for these applicants.
Headline styles
Ease Paratransit for Elderly
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 63–0
- Ordered to third reading cal.2065
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Referred to transportation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
End Paratransit Recertification for Seniors
In Assembly Committee · Corporations, Authorities And Commissions · Sponsor Nicole Malliotakis
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6304
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 11, 2017
Introduced by Sen. LANZA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to special powers of the metropolitan transportation authority
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 1266 of the public authorities law is amended by adding a new subdivision 15-a to read as follows:
15-a. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, paratransit eligible individuals who are at least eighty years old, shall be required only to present correspondence from a licensed physician, dated within the preceding thirty days, indicating that the paratransit service is still necessary for the individual to make a single application for paratransit services. Once approved, such individuals shall be exempt from all recertification requirements.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02582-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to special powers of the metropolitan transportation authority
Purpose or general idea of bill
To provide easier access to paratransit for eligible individuals.
Summary of specific provisions
This legislation amends Section 1266 of the public authorities law by adding subdivision 15-a.
Justification
Filling out current forms required to apply for paratransit may be difficult for seniors. In order to ease the process, paratransit eligi- ble individuals who are at least eighty years old can simply acquire a correspondence from a licensed physician. Once approved, such individ- uals will be exempt from all recertification requirements.
Prior legislative history
2017:S.6304- Passed Senate/A.4690- Referred to Corporations 2016:S.5556- Passed Senate/A.7522- Referred to Corporations 2015:S.5556- Passed Senate/A.7522- Referred to Corporations
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.