Bill Text: NJ S1665 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Concerns NJ Transit's treatment of people with guide or service dogs; establishes Access Link Customer Service Group.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-12-06 - Reported from Senate Committee with Amendments, 2nd Reading [S1665 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2010-S1665-Amended.html

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[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 1665

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

214th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED MARCH 11, 2010

 

 

Sponsored by:

Senator  SHIRLEY K. TURNER

District 15 (Mercer)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Concerns NJ Transit's treatment of people with guide or service dogs; establishes Access Link Customer Service Group.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As reported by the Senate Transportation Committee on December 6, 2010, with amendments.

  

An Act concerning the New Jersey Transit Corporation and persons with guide or service dogs, establishing procedures for complaints and supplementing P.L.1979, c.150 (C.27:25-1 et seq.).

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    Any person with a disability accompanied by a guide or service dog or any guide or service dog trainer accompanied by a guide or service dog, when riding on any bus, train¹,¹ or other form of transportation operated by or under contract to the New Jersey Transit Corporation, may keep such dog ¹, appropriately contolled,¹ in the person's immediate custody.  The corporation shall not deny to any person use of¹,¹ or entry to¹,¹ any vehicle used for public transportation services or any vehicle used for providing transportation to persons with a disability or to guide or service dog trainers because the person is accompanied by a guide or service dog ¹, provided that the guide or service dog is appropriately controlled¹.  As used in this section, the terms "disability," "guide dog," "guide or service dog ¹[trainer"] trainer,"¹ and "service dog" shall have the same meaning as set forth in section 5 of P.L.1945, c.169 (C.10:5-5).

 

     2.    a.  The corporation shall designate an Access Link Customer Service Group to receive and act upon complaints from passengers with disabilities regarding Access Link service.  The corporation shall provide for the establishment of procedures and methods by which such complaints shall be received, processed ¹,¹ and acted upon and for their resolution and settlement.  The Access Link Customer Service Group shall, within ¹[20] 21 business¹ days of the receipt of a complaint, respond in writing as to the disposition or status of the complaint.  Any person who has not received a written response to a complaint within ¹[20] 21 business¹ days may petition the New Jersey Transit Director of ADA Services for a hearing upon that complaint, under rules promulgated by the director for the hearing and disposition of such matters.  As used in this section, "Access Link" means the paratransit service implemented by the corporation for purposes of complying with the "Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990," Pub.L.101-336 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.).

     b.    The corporation shall provide to each person using Access Link, at the time the person is determined to be qualified for Access Link service and at least once in each calendar year thereafter in which the person remains a user, information as to the procedure to be followed in making and pursuing complaints to the Access Link Customer Service Group or the New Jersey Transit Director of ADA Services pursuant to this section.  The direct telephone number for the Access Link Customer Service Group shall be prominently displayed in all Access Link vehicles ¹[and other vehicles operated by or under contract to the corporation which are used in the transportation of passengers with disabilities]¹.

     c.     The New Jersey Transit Director of ADA Services shall report semi-annually to the board, summarizing the Access Link Customer Service Group's activities for the preceding six months, including the number of complaints received, the nature of the complaints, and the resolution of the complaints and setting forth any recommendations for changes which would improve transportation services for passengers with disabilities.  The New Jersey Transit Director of ADA Services shall send a copy of the report to the Division on Civil Rights in the Department of Law and to Public Safety, and New Jersey Protection and Advocacy, Inc. and the Community Health Law Project or their successor organizations.

 

     3.    This act shall take effect immediately.