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NJ AR80
NJ AR80Urges U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to utilize and fund existing paratransit transportation networks to transport disabled veterans to and from its New Jersey medical centers.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This resolution urges the United State Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to utilize and fund existing paratransit transportation networks to transport disabled veterans to and from its New Jersey medical centers. Approximately five million veterans in the United States have a service-connected disability, and about 53,000 of those veterans live in New Jersey. The VA operates two medical centers in New Jersey, with one in East Orange and one in Lyons. Service-connected disabilities can adversely impact veterans' abilities to access necessary medical care at these facilities. Currently, the VA provides transportation service via the Veterans Transportation Service, but this service has limitations that can result in the reduced efficiency of transporting disabled veterans to and from medical appointments. Disabled American Veterans and other veterans' service organizations also provide free van transportation to and from VA medical centers in New Jersey, but these non-profit organizations should not shoulder the responsibility to provide properly coordinated VA-funded patient transport for deserving veterans and qualified family members. It has also been reported by numerous New Jersey veterans that the transportation service provided to these VA facilities is deficient, with veterans being left at facilities for hours, overnight, and in adverse weather conditions. Both New Jersey counties and non-profit social service organizations have existing paratransit transportation for use by senior citizens and individuals with disabilities. These high quality county and non-profit paratransit providers may be able to expandtheir coverage to meet the transportation needs of veterans traveling to and from VA facilities if provided funding to cover the cost of such an expansion.
AI Summary
This resolution urges the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to stop using current transportation providers in New Jersey that are failing to adequately transport disabled veterans to and from VA medical centers, and instead to redirect that funding to partner with county paratransit agencies or existing non-profit social service organizations that offer high-quality transportation for individuals with disabilities. Paratransit is a specialized transportation service for people who cannot use the regular public transit system, often due to a disability. The resolution highlights that many New Jersey veterans with service-connected disabilities, which are health conditions linked to their military service, face difficulties accessing care due to current transportation issues, including long waits and exposure to adverse weather. By funding these existing paratransit networks, the VA could ensure disabled veterans receive reliable and safe transportation to their medical appointments at the VA facilities in East Orange and Lyons.
Committee Categories
Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (6)
Tennille McCoy (D)*,
Dawn Fantasia (R),
Michael Inganamort (R),
Gabriel Rodriguez (D),
Alex Sauickie (R),
Shanique Speight (D),
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/AR80 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/AR/80_I1.HTM |
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