SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1722        FILED ON: 1/19/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1434

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Susan L. Moran

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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 establishing the human service transportation (HST) consumer advisory board.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1722        FILED ON: 1/19/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1434

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

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An Act establishing the human service transportation (HST) consumer advisory board.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Chapter 6 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 222. (a) There is hereby established within the executive office of health and human services the human service transportation (HST) consumer advisory board, hereinafter referred to as the board, to advance the quality of nonemergency transportation to medical, community and other health and human services for persons with disabilities across the commonwealth and to identify challenges and solutions to address the experience and concerns of consumers using this service in order to ensure that HST is safe and reliable for all consumers.

(b) The board shall engage in activities that support its goals to identify challenges and solutions, make recommendations for improvements and propose guidelines on non-emergency human services transportation in order to provide the highest quality of service for consumers in the commonwealth, identify opportunities for improved service and productivity and provide a strong safety net for vulnerable populations in rural and urban communities. These activities shall include, but not be limited to:

(i) activities that elicit consumer experiences, feedback and insight into program participation as well as the ability to invite representatives from vendors, providers and referral sources in their attempt to capture information relevant to their purpose;

(ii) a minimum of six public meetings annually, as required by subsection (d);

(iii) consumer listening sessions pursuant to paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (d); 

(iv) an annual report, as required by subsection (d); and

(v) any other activity consistent with the purpose of the board.

(c) The board shall consist of 13 members who shall include; the secretary of health and human services or their designee who shall be a non-voting member and shall serve as the convenor of the board; the director of MassHealth or their designee who shall be a non-voting member; and 11 voting members appointed by the governor: 1 of whom shall be appointed from a list of 3 consumers recommended by the Massachusetts developmental disabilities council; 1 of whom shall be appointed from a list of 3 consumers recommended by the Massachusetts Mental Health Association; 1 of whom shall be appointed from a list of 3 consumers recommended by the statewide independent living council; 1 of whom shall be appointed from a list of 3 consumers recommended by Stavros center for independent living; 1 of whom shall be appointed from a list of 3 consumers recommended by Independence Associates center for independent living; 1 of whom shall be appointed from a list of 3 consumers recommended by the Boston Center for Independent Living, Inc.; 1 of whom shall be appointed from a list of 3 consumers recommended by the Dignity Alliance; 1 of whom shall be appointed from a list of 3 consumers recommended by Arc Massachusetts, Inc.; 1 of whom shall be appointed from a list of 3 consumers recommended by the Disability Law Center; 1 of whom shall be appointed from a list of 3 consumers or consumer surrogates recommended by Mass Senior Care and the Massachusetts Council on Aging; and 1 of whom shall be appointed by the governor at their discretion. 

(d)(1) The board shall meet a minimum of six times a year, all meetings of the board shall be held remotely and open to the public. Notice of remote meetings shall be posted as soon as reasonably possible prior to meeting. Notice shall be printed or posted in a legible, easily understandable format and shall contain the date, time and instructions for remote access and participation. The convenor of the meeting shall further include with the notice a listing of the topics that the convenor reasonably anticipates will be discussed at the meeting. 

(2) In order to engage in in activities that elicit consumer experiences, feedback and insight into program participation as well as the ability to invite representatives from vendors, providers and referral sources in their attempt to capture information relevant to their purpose, the board shall host and report on two virtual consumer listening sessions annually, preceded by targeted outreach to users of human services transportation services.

(3)  The consumer advisory board shall file an annual report of its recommendations with the clerks of the house of representatives and senate, the house and senate committees on ways and means, the joint committee on transportation, the joint committee on children, families and persons with disabilities, the secretary of health and human services and the secretary of transportation not later than December 1. The recommendations shall be used by the human services transportation office to improve non-emergency human services transportation broker services. 

The human services transportation office will provide the Board with an update of its actions with regard to the report’s recommendations.

(4) The human services transportation office shall staff the consumer advisory task force, assist with facilitation for board outreach activities, and ensure its operation and scheduling.