What's happening
The bill exempts paratransit-eligible individuals aged 80 and older from recertification, requiring only a physician's note for initial application.
Why it matters
Reduces paperwork and stress for older adults. By removing ongoing recertification, individuals aged 80+ only need to apply for paratransit once, sparing them from repeated medical visits and bureaucratic hurdles as they age.
Improves access and continuity of mobility services. Seniors who rely on paratransit are less likely to experience service interruptions due to missed deadlines or difficulties obtaining updated medical documentation.
Acknowledges the permanence of disability in advanced age. The bill reflects a realistic understanding that people aged 80 and older with paratransit needs are unlikely to see significant improvements in mobility, making repeated eligibility checks unnecessary.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ease Paratransit for Seniors
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
- 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.
Ease Paratransit for Elderly
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
2641
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 28, 2019
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.
LBD07468-01-9
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
2018: S.6304 - Referred to Transportation/A.4690- Referred to Corpo- rations 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.