HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1584 FILED ON: 1/16/2019
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3244
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
John C. Velis
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act authorizing Veterans' Administration patients to ride the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority without cost.
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PETITION OF:
Name: | District/Address: | Date Added: |
John C. Velis | 4th Hampden | 1/16/2019 |
Anne M. Gobi | Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire and Middlesex | 1/31/2019 |
Carlos González | 10th Hampden | 1/17/2019 |
Donald F. Humason, Jr. | Second Hampden and Hampshire | 1/17/2019 |
Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr. | 12th Hampden | 1/23/2019 |
Todd M. Smola | 1st Hampden | 1/30/2019 |
José F. Tosado | 9th Hampden | 2/1/2019 |
Susannah M. Whipps | 2nd Franklin | 2/1/2019 |
Bud L. Williams | 11th Hampden | 1/18/2019 |
Shawn Dooley | 9th Norfolk | 1/29/2019 |
Steven Ultrino | 33rd Middlesex | 1/29/2019 |
James J. O'Day | 14th Worcester | 1/30/2019 |
Michael J. Soter | 8th Worcester | 1/30/2019 |
John Barrett, III | 1st Berkshire | 1/31/2019 |
Stephan Hay | 3rd Worcester | 2/1/2019 |
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1584 FILED ON: 1/16/2019
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3244
By Mr. Velis of Westfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3244) of John C. Velis and others relative to authorizing Veterans' Administration patients to ride the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority without cost. Veterans and Federal Affairs. |
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-First General Court
(2019-2020)
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An Act authorizing Veterans' Administration patients to ride the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority without cost.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any general or special law or rule or regulation to the contrary, for the purposes of this act, the following terms will have these meanings:
(a) "Patient" shall mean any person receiving medical care from a Veterans' Administration Hospital, Outpatient Clinic, or Vet Center.
(b) "Caregiver" shall mean a family member, legal guardian, personal care attendant or other person approved by the Pioneer Valley Transportation Authority accompanying a patient to a medical appointment.
SECTION 2. Notwithstanding any general or special law or rule or regulation to the contrary, the Pioneer Valley Transportation Authority created under Section 3 of Chapter 161B may not charge a fare to a patient or their caregiver using public transportation services to travel to or return from a medical appointment at a Veterans' Administration Hospital, Outpatient Clinic, or Vet Center within the cities of Chicopee, Holyoke, Northampton, Springfield, Westfield, and the towns of Agawam, East Longmeadow, Easthampton, Hadley, Longmeadow, Ludlow, South Hadley, West Springfield, Wilbraham and Amherst.
SECTION 3. The Pioneer Valley Transportation Authority will adopt regulations and procedures to carry out section two within 60 days of passage.