Resolve, To Establish a Pilot Project To Provide Travel Vouchers to Persons with Disabilities in Rural Communities

Sec. 1. Department of Health and Human Services to develop a transportation pilot project. Resolved: That by January 1, 2018, the Department of Health and Human Services, referred to in this resolve as "the department," shall issue a request for proposals for a one-year pilot project, referred to in this resolve as "the pilot project," to develop travel voucher transportation programs for individuals with disabilities living in rural areas of the State. The department shall consult with the Statewide Independent Living Council when developing the pilot project and the request for proposals. The pilot project must include at least 2 separate transportation programs, which must be conducted in any of the following: Aroostook County, Washington County or counties in western Maine. The geographical areas chosen must have limited existing transportation infrastructure and a disability service provider present in the area. The pilot project must include the following:

1. Standards of eligibility for individual riders, including riders' levels of income and disability;

2. A variety of transportation models;

3. A variety of trip purposes, including medical, professional and recreational purposes;

4. Opportunities for individual riders to exercise independence and control;

5. Partnerships with local transportation providers and volunteer drivers; and

6. Assessment and evaluation standards; and be it further

Sec. 2. Investigate grant sources. Resolved: That the department shall investigate and identify grant opportunities that could be used to fund the pilot project or supplement state funding for the pilot project established pursuant to section 1 of this resolve. Funds from all sources, including from the General Fund, allocated or appropriated to the pilot project may not total more than $100,000 for one year; and be it further

Sec. 3. Report. Resolved: That, no later than November 30, 2018, the department shall report to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services the progress and implementation of the pilot project established pursuant to section 1 of this resolve. The report must outline the standards of eligibility, transportation models, the purposes of trips, the opportunities for riders to exercise independence, partnership with local providers, evaluation standards, expenditures and funding sources. The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters may report out a bill to the First Regular Session of the 129th Legislature related to the report.

summary

This resolve incorporates the recommendations of the Statewide Independent Living Council's travel voucher working group convened pursuant to Public Law 2015, chapter 452, section 3. It requires the Department of Health and Human Services to issue a request for proposals for a one-year pilot project to develop travel voucher transportation programs for individuals with disabilities living in rural areas of the State. The department is required to report on the progress and implementation of the project to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services no later than November 30, 2018.