Bill Text: NJ A2441 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Requires DHS to employ Transportation Planning Coordinator to oversee provision of transportation services.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 20-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-12-09 - Reported out of Assembly Comm. with Amendments, 2nd Reading [A2441 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2020-A2441-Amended.html
ASSEMBLY, No. 2441
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
219th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 3, 2020
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman DANIEL R. BENSON
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
Assemblyman NICHOLAS CHIARAVALLOTI
District 31 (Hudson)
Assemblywoman VALERIE VAINIERI HUTTLE
District 37 (Bergen)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywomen Reynolds-Jackson, Murphy, McKnight, Assemblyman Karabinchak, Assemblywoman Jasey, Assemblyman Conaway, Assemblywomen Lopez, Lampitt, Downey, Assemblymen Houghtaling, Tully, Assemblywoman Swain, Assemblymen Freiman, Mejia, Assemblywoman Jimenez, Assemblymen Stanley and Wimberly
SYNOPSIS
Requires DHS to employ Transportation Planning Coordinator to oversee provision of transportation services.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee on December 9, 2021, with amendments.
An Act concerning transportation services provided to 1[clients of] individuals receiving certain services through1 the Department of Human Services and supplementing Title 30 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. 1[All transportation services provided to clients of the Department] The Commissioner1 of Human Services shall 1[be monitored and administered by a] designate an employee to be the1 Transportation Planning Coordinator 1[employed by the department]1.
b. The Transportation Planning Coordinator shall be qualified by training and experience, as necessary to perform the duties of the position 1which training and experience may include relevant experience in the transportation industry or in coordinating, supervising, or overseeing transportation services1. The Commissioner of Human Services shall determine the requisite qualifications for the position1[; however, at a minimum, the Transportation Planning Coordinator shall have at least five years of experience in the transportation industry or in the management of transportation services]1.
c. The duties of the Transportation Planning Coordinator shall include:
(1) 1[managing and overseeing the transportation services that are provided to the department's clients and ensuring the effective and efficient transportation of all such clients to and from their destinations;
(2) managing and]1 overseeing the transportation providers who are contracted by 1or have otherwise entered into an agreement with1 the department 1[or who are otherwise authorized to provide services to the department's clients, and ensuring that such providers are in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and practice and vehicle standards]1;
1[(3)] (2)1 monitoring and reporting 1, as appropriate,1 driver or vehicle issues, such as accidents, safety issues, or licensing concerns 1as such information is made available to the coordinator1;
1[(4)] (3)1 soliciting 1[and contracting with]1 new transportation providers to serve 1[the department's clients] applicable individuals receiving transportation services, as appropriate1;
1[(5) managing the dispatch of vehicles and the assignment of drivers or transportation providers to particular routes or areas of the State;
(6)] (4)1 ensuring that transportation providers 1[adhere to pick-up and delivery schedules and]1 provide timely services 1[to department clientele] as provided in any applicable contract or agreement with the department1;
1[(7)] (5)1 maintaining records of all transportation services provided to 1[department clientele] individuals under the department's purview1;
1[(8) providing department clientele with advance notice of, and an explanation describing, any proposed changes to the department's transportation system;
(9)] (6)1 receiving, reviewing, investigating, and resolving complaints filed with respect to 1[the] applicable1 transportation services 1[that are provided to department clientele]1;
1[(10)] (7)1 conducting internal reviews and investigations to identify inefficiencies or other problems occurring within the department's transportation system, and instituting revised procedures to address identified concerns or issues;
1[(11)] (8)1 analyzing the costs of transportation services offered through the department, and recommending more cost effective methods of transportation, where appropriate; and
1[(12)] (9)1 any other appropriate duties assigned by the department.
d. On at least an annual basis, the Transportation Planning Coordinator shall submit a written report to the commissioner describing the coordinator's 1relevant1 activities over the prior year1[. Each annual report shall include:
(1) a description of any changes to the transportation system that have been implemented during the reporting period, and a description of any other changes that are recommended or are being considered, but which are not yet implemented;
(2) ] and shall provide1 a summary of transportation-related complaints received during the reporting period, and an indication of the extent to which and manner in which such complaints were resolved1[;
(3) an accounting of any other concerns or problems identified by the coordinator; and
(4) any other information required by the commissioner]1.
e. As used in this section:
"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Human Services.
"Department" means the Department of Human Services.
1["Clients" or
"clientele" means those persons who are eligible to receive transportation
services provided by the department.]1
2. The Commissioner of Human Services 1[shall] may1 adopt rules and regulations, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this act.
3. This act shall take effect on the first day of the 1[sixth] tenth1 month next following the date of enactment, except that the Commissioner of Human Services may take anticipatory administrative action in advance of the effective date, as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this act.
