BILL NUMBER: S356
SPONSOR: COONEY
 
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.

Statutes affected:
S356: 1266 public authorities law