Senate Bill No. 1298 aims to enhance the standards for nonemergency medical transportation (NEMT) services provided to medical assistance recipients in Connecticut. The bill mandates the Commissioner of Social Services to identify geographic areas where competitive bidding for NEMT services could yield cost savings. It stipulates that transportation providers awarded contracts must meet state licensure or certification requirements, with specific exceptions for contractors solely coordinating services. Notably, the bill introduces new provisions allowing certain drivers to provide NEMT services while their public passenger endorsement applications are pending, as long as they meet the necessary background checks.

The bill also includes several key insertions and deletions to existing law. It adds that contracts for NEMT services should not exceed one year and allows drivers operating under specific conditions to be considered compliant with licensure requirements for a limited time. Additionally, it requires contractors coordinating NEMT services to disclose payment sources to subcontracted transportation providers. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2025, and the bill is expected to have potential fiscal impacts on the state's General Fund, depending on the number of drivers providing services and their associated costs.