Bill > S2049

Introduced Session

The bill revises certain provisions of the paratransit best practices pilot program. The pilot program was established with the goal of better integrating the paratransit services within the State. Under the first phase of the pilot program, a paratransit best practices training module is to be developed. Under the second phase of the pilot program, certain paratransit providers are to receive training in paratransit best practices. Depending upon the success of phase two of the pilot program, phase three will involve either developing the training module into a best practices training package that other paratransit providers can adopt or a determination of some other method of integrating paratransit service so that paratransit providers meeting certain standards can compete for regular and routine paratransit trips. The bill changes the entity bearing responsibility for developing and implementing phase one of the pilot program from the New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJT) to the Division of Developmental Disabilities within the Department of Human Services (division). The bill authorizes qualified community organizations (organizations) to submit proposals for the development of the best practices training module to the division. The bill further requires the division, in consultation with the NJT, to select the organization best suited to develop the training module within 90 days from the date of the bill's enactment. Thereafter, the organization would be required to establish the completed training module on or before the 180th day after being selected by the division, thereby completing phase one of the pilot program. Following completion of phase one, NJT would be required to assume primary responsibility for the administration of the pilot program. Under phase two, six paratransit providers would be selected by the organization, in consultation with NJT, with three chosen from the southern region of the State and three from the northern region of the State. The organization is required to begin accepting applications no more than 30 days after the completion of phase one and is required to select the paratransit providers that are to receive training no more than 90 days after the end of the application period. Finally, the bill transfers $6 million, from the amounts appropriated to NJT under the FY2023 appropriations act, to the division for the purposes of developing and implementing the pilot program.

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Vin Gopal (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Transportation Committee (on 01/09/2024)

Official Document