Paratransit services - communication duties - report - definitions - repeal

(1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) "Emergency" means: (I) A fire, rescue call, or hazardous materials incident; (II) A natural or human-caused disaster such as an earthquake, wildfire, flood, or severe weather event; or (III) An incident reasonably determined to be an emergency by a public entity providing emergency services. (b) "Paratransit services" means complementary parallel transit services for individuals with disabilities who are unable to utilize regular or fixed route transit services for some or all of their transit needs. (c) "Public entity providing emergency services" means any political subdivision of the state or agency of a political subdivision of the state that responds in a professional capacity to an emergency, including a law enforcement agency, fire department, or fire protection district. (d) "Transit agency" means any political subdivision of the state, public entity, or nonprofit corporation that provides paratransit services in the state. (2) (a) On and after January 1, 2026, in coordination with local public entities providing emergency services, a transit agency shall establish a plan to communicate information and provide paratransit services during emergencies. (b) The communication plan must include information on the number of riders who use the transit agency's paratransit services and the transit agency's resource capacity, including the number of drivers and the number of vehicles used to provide paratransit services. (c) (I) On or before September 1, 2026, transit agencies and public entities providing emergency services shall submit a report to the transportation legislation review committee on the implementation of the communication and emergency services plan described in this subsection (2). (II) This subsection (2)(c) is repealed, effective July 1, 2027.