Sec. 1. 23 MRSA §4210 is enacted to read:

§4210.__Transportation vouchers

The commissioner shall establish a program providing for the issuance of annual transportation vouchers to persons with disabilities, as defined by 42 United States Code, Section 8013.__ The purpose of the transportation voucher program is to improve the independence and opportunity to work for persons with disabilities.__The vouchers may be used for fares for public transportation or to pay mileage expenses for private transportation.

The commissioner shall adopt rules governing the implementation of the transportation voucher program.__Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A.

Sec. 2. Appropriation. The following funds are appropriated from the General Fund to carry out the purposes of this Act.

2001-02 2002-03

TRANSPORTATION, DEPARTMENT OF

Office of Passenger

Transportation

All Other $250,000 $250,000

Appropriates funds for transportation vouchers provided to persons with disabilities.

SUMMARY

This bill establishes a program providing for the issuance of annual transportation vouchers to persons with disabilities. The purpose of the transportation voucher program is to improve the independence and opportunity to work for persons with disabilities. The vouchers may be used for fares for public transportation or to pay mileage expenses for private transportation. The bill appropriates $500,000 for the biennium from the General Fund to fund the program. The Commissioner of