What's happening
This bill allows individuals recertifying for paratransit service to use a physician's letter instead of an in-person assessment.
Why it matters
Simplifies the recertification process for paratransit users. by allowing a doctor's note instead of requiring individuals to attend in-person assessments, which can be burdensome for people with significant mobility or health challenges.
May speed up access and reduce barriers. for disabled or elderly individuals who rely on paratransit services, potentially leading to greater independence and improved quality of life for those who might otherwise struggle to travel to assessment appointments.
Places responsibility on physicians to verify need. for paratransit services, possibly shifting some administrative burden from transit authorities to healthcare providers, while also introducing new requirements for documentation and verification.
Could standardize and clarify recertification requirements. through regulations to be developed by the transit authority, potentially increasing consistency in how paratransit eligibility is determined and reducing subjectivity in the process.
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Who cares
Paratransit riders seeking recertification
The bill would replace an in-person assessment with correspondence from a licensed physician, dated within the preceding 30 days, stating that paratransit service is necessary.
Licensed physicians
Their correspondence would document a rider’s need for continued paratransit service and would have to meet requirements set by the authority.
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
The authority would have to establish rules governing the form and content of physicians’ correspondence for paratransit recertification.
Headline styles
Simplify Paratransit Renewal Process
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
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.
Easier Paratransit Recertification Process
In Assembly Committee · Corporations, Authorities And Commissions · Sponsor Karen McMahon
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
356
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by Sens. COONEY, ADDABBO, ASHBY, BORRELLO, CLEARE, GALLIVAN, GOUNARDES, HINCHEY, HOYLMAN-SIGAL, MARTINEZ, MAY, MYRIE, ORTT, ROLI- SON, WEBER, WEIK -- 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 paratransit services
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. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an individual recertifying for paratransit service, shall, in lieu of an in-person assessment, submit correspondence from a licensed physician, dated within the preceding thirty days, indicating that paratransit service is necessary for such individual.
(b) The authority shall promulgate rules and regulations regarding the form and content of the licensed physician's correspondence pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subdivision.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01120-01-5
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 paratransit services
Purpose
To provide people with disabilities the ability to be more integrated in the communities in which they live and conduct their daily activities.
Summary of provisions
Subdivision 4 section 15-b and 15-c of the transportation law is amended to make accessible buses available within a service area measuring three miles from any bus line of the authority and its subsidiaries.'
Justification
"Though people with disabilities live in every community, our transpor- tation policy has undermined the Americans with Disabilities Act's (ADA) promise of equal opportunity in transportation for people with disabili- ties, resulting in isolation from jobs, housing, health care, and educa- tion. As political leaders we must take into consideration the needs of people with disabilities. People with disabilities make up about 6 million (40 percent) of the almost 15 million people in this country who have difficulties getting the transportation they need. Because many people with disabilities do not have the option to drive cars, lack of access to other modes of transportation disproportionately harms them. About 560,000 people with disabilities never leave home because of transportation difficulties."
http://www.civilrightsdocs.info/pdf/transportation/transportation-and disabilities-v%205-2.pdf
The stated goal of the Supreme Court's decision in Olmstead v. L.C., 527 U.S. 581 (1999), is to integrate people with disabilities into the community. More restrictive transportation policies and restrictions on routes of serve for people with disabilities affects their ability to become fully integrated in the community.
This bill is a significant step in complying with the provisions of Olmstead and helping many people who are marginalized and restricted in their ability to interact with services and members of the community. This bill will help make a difference to increase health care access and reduce isolation for adults and children in the broader community.
Legislative history
2018: S.6027 Referred to Senate Transportation Committee
2019-20: S.510
2021-22: S.5095
2023-24: S.9476
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.