Resolve, To Establish a Pilot Project To Provide Travel Vouchers to Persons with Disabilities in Rural Communities
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 1481
Committee: Health and Human Services

Legislative Document
No. 1481
H.P. 1020
House of Representatives, April 18, 2017
Resolve, To Establish a Pilot Project To Provide Travel Vouchers to 
Persons with Disabilities in Rural Communities
Reported by Representative HYMANSON of York for the Joint Standing Committee on 
Health and Human Services pursuant to Public Law 2015, chapter 452, section 3.
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed 
pursuant to Joint Rule 218.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
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.