PRINTER'S NO. 2575
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
315
Session of
2024
INTRODUCED BY SHUSTERMAN, D. MILLER, KHAN, KINSEY, HOHENSTEIN,
KAZEEM, SANCHEZ, HILL-EVANS, CONKLIN, HADDOCK AND HOWARD,
FEBRUARY 5, 2024
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES, FEBRUARY 5, 2024
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a
study on public transportation services for individuals with
disabilities, establish a legislative task force and advisory
committee and issue a report of findings and recommendations
to the House of Representatives.
WHEREAS, This Commonwealth is the fifth most populous state
in the United States with diverse demographics and ever-changing
public transportation needs; and
WHEREAS, An estimated 25.5 million Americans have
disabilities that make traveling outside the home difficult; and
WHEREAS, More than half of these Americans, approximately
13.4 million, are adults between 18 and 64 years of age, which
is the age group with typically high labor force participation;
and
WHEREAS, For these approximately 13.4 million Americans,
adequate, efficient, reliable and easily accessible public
transportation affects their ability to travel for work,
errands, socializing and other activities; and
WHEREAS, All Pennsylvanians deserve the right to use public
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transportation successfully and easily; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the Joint
State Government Commission to conduct a study on public
transportation services for individuals with disabilities,
establish a legislative task force and advisory committee and
issue a report of findings and recommendations to the House of
Representatives; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the legislative task force be composed of four
members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker
of the House of Representatives, with two members recommended by
the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives and two
members recommended by the Minority Leader of the House of
Representatives; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission, as part
of the study, establish an advisory committee consisting of the
following members:
(1) a representative of the transportation division of
the Department of Aging;
(2) a representative of the Office of Developmental
Programs of the Department of Human Services;
(3) a representative of the Medical Assistance
Transportation Program of the Department of Human Services;
(4) a representative of the Office of Vocational
Rehabilitation of the Department of Labor and Industry;
(5) a representative of the Bureau of Public
Transportation of the Department of Transportation;
(6) a representative of the Center for Rural
Pennsylvania;
(7) a representative of the Pennsylvania Public
Transportation Association;
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(8) a representative of the County Commissioners
Association of Pennsylvania;
(9) a representative of the Southeastern Pennsylvania
Transportation Authority or a transportation authority
serving a county of the first class;
(10) a representative of Pittsburgh Regional Transit or
a transportation authority serving a county of the second
class;
(11) a representative of a transportation authority
serving a county of the second class A, third class or fourth
class;
(12) a representative of a transportation authority
serving a county of the fifth class, sixth class, seventh
class or eighth class;
(13) a representative of a transportation network
company;
(14) a representative of a taxicab or limousine company;
(15) a representative of a labor union representing
transit and allied workers in this Commonwealth;
(16) a lawyer with legal expertise in disability law and
accessible transportation;
(17) a representative or self-advocate for individuals
with intellectual and developmental disabilities;
(18) a representative or self-advocate for individuals
with physical disabilities;
(19) a representative of an organization that offers
community participation supports; and
(20) any other representatives from other organizations
that are deemed appropriate by the Joint State Government
Commission;
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and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission, as part
of the study:
(1) examine this Commonwealth's current needs and system
capacity for providing public transportation services and
opportunities to adequately serve individuals with
disabilities;
(2) examine the impact of this Commonwealth's current
delivery system of public transportation and transportation
network companies on a Statewide level to individuals with
disabilities;
(3) identify barriers prohibiting or limiting the
coordination and accessibility of transportation services to
individuals with disabilities across county lines and
geographic regions;
(4) examine the availability of nonemergency Medicaid
transportation, geographic location challenges and any unique
concerns based on regional issues;
(5) identify ways to improve real-time transit
technology to inform passengers of delays or cancellations;
(6) examine the efficiency, uniformity and best
practices of the administration of public transportation
services at the Statewide and county levels;
(7) determine what existing funding sources, including
Federal, State or local government grants, could be leveraged
to improve transportation access for individuals with
disabilities;
(8) examine how current Federal and State laws and
regulations impact and limit public transportation supports,
services and programs for individuals with disabilities;
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(9) examine the collaborations among the Department of
Transportation, the Department of Labor and Industry, the
Department of Human Services, the Department of Aging,
managed care organizations and providers;
(10) examine how transportation systems collaborate to
serve individuals with disabilities;
(11) examine policies and practices of transportation
authorities regarding public transportation services for
individuals with disabilities;
(12) examine all available public transportation
services and programs on a Statewide and countywide basis,
including barriers and obstacles in transportation for
individuals living in the home or receiving community-based
services for jobs, medical appointments and peer-to-peer
groups;
(13) examine the legal requirements for available
transportation options for individuals with disabilities and
whether counties and public and private organizations are in
compliance with the requirements of the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990 and other Federal and State laws
regarding the accessibility of transportation services; and
(14) examine transportation providers who have ceased or
limited operations since the beginning of the COVID-19
pandemic;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission, as part
of the study and to assist in developing findings and
recommendations, seek input from:
(1) individuals with disabilities and their relatives
regarding their experiences with public transportation,
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including any barriers and obstacles they have faced and any
impact on accessing health care, seeking and maintaining
employment and community inclusion; and
(2) representatives and advocates from all aspects of
the transportation sector;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission issue a
report containing its findings and recommendations, including
any proposed statutory or regulatory changes, no later than 18
months after adoption of this resolution; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the report be submitted to:
(1) the chairperson and minority chairperson of the
Human Services Committee of the House of Representatives; and
(2) the chairperson and minority chairperson of the
Transportation Committee of the House of Representatives.
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