By: Allen, Riddle (Senate Sponsor - Ellis) H.B. No. 1545

(In the Senate - Received from the House April 29, 2013; April 30, 2013, read first time and referred to Committee on Transportation; May 14, 2013, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 7, Nays 0; May 14, 2013, sent to printer.)

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR H.B. No. 1545 By: Ellis

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a study regarding the use of certain public transportation services by persons with disabilities.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. (a) In this Act, "providers" and "services" have the meanings assigned by Section 461.009, Transportation Code.

(b) The Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities, in coordination with providers located in rural and urban areas of the state, and paratransit advocacy groups, shall conduct a study to determine:

(1) the feasibility of standardizing the process of certifying an individual's eligibility for services in the state; and

(2) whether the current 21-day provision of services by a provider is adequate to meet the needs of visitors with disabilities to locations served by the provider.

(c) Not later than January 1, 2015, the Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities shall submit a report on the findings of the study performed under this section to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and standing committees of the senate and house of representatives that have jurisdiction over issues related to transportation.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.

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