An Act concerning transportation services for persons with certain disabilities.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The Commissioner of Human Services shall transmit a written report to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), to the Legislature, regarding expanding the accessibility and availability of transportation options in the State for persons diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities with the purchase of transportation services through private sector and governmental entities.
b. The report shall include, but need not be limited to, the following:
(1) a survey of currently available public and private transportation for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including an analysis of barriers to transportation for individuals with disabilities;
(2) an analysis of current federal and State laws and regulations governing transportation services, including any restrictions on funding or use;
(3) best practices for enhancing and expanding transportation services and options for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities receiving services from the Department of Human Services;
(4) recommendations on ways to permit individuals enrolled in department services to use existing funding for more accessible or convenient transportation services;
(5) resources that may be necessary or appropriate to accomplish the expansion of transportation options; and
(6) any other factors or considerations deemed appropriate by the commissioner.
c. The Department may contract with a vendor to conduct the study. No later than 60 days following enactment, the Department shall commence the study or shall commence the process of obtaining a vendor. The Department or its designee may consult with other State agencies, including but not limited to, the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Transportation and the New Jersey Transit Corporation, as appropriate.
d. The commissioner may adopt rules and regulations necessary to effectuate the purposes of this act, which rules and regulations shall be effective immediately upon filing with the Office of Administrative Law for a period not to exceed 18 months, and may, thereafter, be amended, adopted or readopted in accordance with the provisions of the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.).
2. This act shall take effect immediately, but remain inoperative for 180 days following enactment, and shall expire upon the submission of the report to the Governor and the Legislature pursuant to section 1 of this act.
Approved January 18, 2022.