Posted: | February 8, 2016 10:56 AM |
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From: | Representative Dom Costa |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Legislation – Requirements for Common Carriers providing Paratransit Services |
In the near future I plan to introduce legislation creating a third party requirement for common carriers providing paratransit services to minors living with a handicap or disability. As you may know, a medical van transportation driver is facing criminal charges after recently being accused of sexually assaulting a teenage female whom he was transporting to a treatment center in Upper St. Clair for a voluntary mental health commitment. Under current law, common carriers are required to obtain and review background checks for individuals operating vehicles under their service. However, this recent tragedy indicates that stronger protections are needed for a handicapped minor when their parent or legal guardian is not present during the transportation service. My proposal requires the presence of a third party in these instances. A health care practitioner, an agent of the county agency, another individual permitted to drive under the common carrier, or an individual approved by the Department of Human Services may serve as a permissible third party. Please join me in properly protecting this vulnerable group of citizens and avoiding a similar tragedy in the future by co-sponsoring this necessary piece of legislation. |
Introduced as HB1866