ASSEMBLY HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1158

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 9, 2021

      The Assembly Human Services Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 1158.

     This bill would require the Department of Human Services to authorize any recipient of disability benefits to use those benefits to pay for transportation provided by a transportation network company.  A transportation network company is any corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, or other entity that is registered as a business in the State, or that operates in the State, and which uses a digital network to connect a transportation network company rider to a transportation network company driver to provide a prearranged ride.  Approved transportation network companies in New Jersey currently include Uber and Lyft. 

     The bill would also require the Department of Human Services, working in consultation with the Department of Transportation, to develop and implement a public awareness campaign to inform the recipients of disability benefits of their transportation options under the bill.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2020-2021 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.

     As reported by the committee, Assembly Bill No. 1158 is identical to Senate Bill No. 1934 which was reported by the committee on this date.