Overview: Bill Number: A 985, Title: Relates to pre-arranged for-hire vehicle transportation services and universal design and accessibility, Status: REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION, Introduced: January 08, 2025
Purpose and Intent: The purpose of this bill is to address accessibility and universal design requirements for pre-arranged for-hire vehicle transportation services, such as ride-hailing apps and limousine services. The bill aims to ensure that these services are accessible to individuals with disabilities and meet certain design standards.
Key Provisions:
- Requires pre-arranged for-hire vehicle transportation services to maintain a certain percentage of wheelchair-accessible vehicles in their fleets
- Mandates that all vehicles used for these services meet minimum accessibility standards, including features like ramps, secure wheelchair tie-downs, and audio/visual announcements
- Establishes guidelines for the training of drivers on the proper use of accessibility features and the provision of assistance to passengers with disabilities
- Imposes penalties for non-compliance with the accessibility requirements
Affected Parties and Impacts:
- Individuals with disabilities who rely on or use pre-arranged for-hire vehicle transportation services
- Pre-arranged for-hire vehicle transportation service providers, who will need to make changes to their fleets and driver training programs to comply with the new requirements
- The state's transportation regulatory agencies, which will be responsible for enforcing the accessibility standards
Procedural and Timeline Considerations:
The bill has been referred to the Transportation Committee for further consideration. If passed, the new accessibility requirements would likely be phased in over a 12-24 month period to allow service providers time to make the necessary changes.