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House passes changes to special transportation provider regulations

Some Department of Transportation requirements of special non-emergency transportation providers for the elderly and people who are disabled would change under a bill passed 126-0 Wednesday by the House.

Sponsored by Rep. Kim Norton (DFL-Rochester), HF3548 now goes to the Senate where Sen. Kathy Sheran (DFL-Mankato) is the sponsor.

The legislation would make various changes to MnDOT regulations of the special providers.

“We decided we needed a little more clarification so those agencies can do what we actually told them to do,” Norton said.

Changes under the bill would include:

  • replacing an exception from various special transportation service regulations for fixed route carriers, with a broader exemption for public transit providers that receive state funding;
  • defining “disqualified” as a person who is not allowed to work in a position that has direct contract with individuals who receive various services following a Department of Human Services background check;
  • permitting MnDOT to prevent a vehicle from being used by a special transportation provider until all vehicle equipment requirements are met;
  • allowing MnDOT to refuse a certificate of compliance for a provider if a background check has identified disqualifying information among persons with ownership interest or leadership positions;
  • establishing a process for removing a provider’s certificate of compliance if a background check identifies disqualifying information among employees subject to the checks;
  • technical changes to background studies; and
  • allowing MnDOT to prevent special transportation service providers as enrolling as medical assistance providers if the provider hasn’t conducted required background checks, or if the provider has not disqualified persons identified as disqualified by MnDOT due to background checks. 

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