SB 1298 — AN ACT CONCERNING NONEMERGENCY MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION STANDARDS.

Senate General Assembly RaisedFile Bill No.

1298428 January Session, 2025 LCOSenate Bill No.

42251298 ReferredSenate, toApril 2, 2025 The Committee on HUMANHuman SERVICESServices Introducedreported by:through SEN.

(HS)LESSER ANof ACTthe CONCERNING9th NONEMERGENCYDist., MEDICALChairperson TRANSPORTATIONof STANDARDS.the Committee on the part of the Senate, that the bill ought to pass.

AN ACT CONCERNING NONEMERGENCY MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION STANDARDS.

Any transportation providers awarded a contract or subcontract for the direct provision of such services shall meet state licensure or certification requirements and theSB1298 nonemergency/ transportationFile requirements established by the LCO 4225 1 of 3 Raised Bill No.

1298428 Department1 ofSB1298 SocialFile Services,No. and shall provide the most cost effective transportation service, provided (1) any contractor awarded a contract solelyforcoordinatingsuchtransportationservicesshallnotberequired to meet such licensure or certification requirements, [and provided] (2) the first such contracts for the purchase of such services shall not exceed one year, and (3) any driver providing services under such contract or subcontract who is operating under the provisions of subdivision (3) of subsection(e)ofsection14-44,but inno event for aperiodoflongerthan ninety days in the aggregate, shall be deemed to have met such requirements.

428 the nonemergency transportation requirements established by the Department of Social Services, and shall provide the most cost effective transportation service, provided (1) any contractor awarded a contract solelyforcoordinatingsuchtransportationservicesshallnotberequired to meet such licensure or certification requirements, [and provided] (2) the first such contracts for the purchase of such services shall not exceed one year, and (3) any driver providing services under such contract or subcontract who is operating under the provisions of subdivision (3) of subsection(e)ofsection14-44,but inno event for aperiodoflongerthan ninety days in the aggregate, shall be deemed to have met such requirements.

Any contractor awarded a contract for coordinating nonemergency transportation services for medical assistance recipients, who also coordinates transportation servicesSB1298 for/ nonmedicalFile assistance recipients, shall disclose to any LCO 4225 2 of 3 Raised Bill No.

1298428 transportation2 provider,SB1298 withFile whomNo. it subcontracts to provide nonemergency transportation services under this section, the source of payment at the time the service is requested.

428 services for nonmedical assistance recipients, shall disclose to any transportation provider, with whom it subcontracts to provide nonemergency transportation services under this section, the source of payment at the time the service is requested.

Section 1 July 1, 2025 17b-276(a) HS Joint Favorable LCOSB1298 4225/ 3File ofNo. 3

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428 The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose.

In general, fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional knowledge.

Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.

OFA Fiscal Note State Impact:

Agency Affected Fund-Effect FY 26 $ FY 27 $ Social Services, Dept.

GF - Potential See Below See Below Note:

GF=General Fund Municipal Impact:

None Explanation The bill makes certain drivers eligible to provide nonemergency medical transportation (NEMT) through a contract or subcontract with the Department of Social Services (DSS).

Based on FY 24 data, the average cost per mile traveled was $2.09 for transportation network companies.

To the extent that an increased number of drivers allowed under the bill (taxicab and livery) provide NEMT services at a higher rate than current providers, the state could experience a cost.

The Out Years The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would continue into the future subject to inflation.

SB1298 / File No.

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428 OLR Bill Analysis SB 1298 AN ACT CONCERNING NONEMERGENCY MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION STANDARDS.

SUMMARY This bill allows certain drivers who apply to the motor vehicles commissioner for a public passenger endorsement to operate taxicab or livery service vehicles (i.e.

F endorsement) to provide nonemergency medical transportation (NEMT) under a Department of Social Services (DSS) contract or subcontract (see BACKGROUND) for up to 90 days while the application is pending.

Existing law allows taxicab or livery service providers to employ drivers who have applied for an F endorsement for up to 90 days before their endorsement is approved so long as the employer, after conducting a criminal background check and driving history review, determines the applicant meets requirements to operate these vehicles.

The bill deems these drivers as also meeting requirements to provide NEMT.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

July 1, 2025 BACKGROUND Nonemergency Medical Transportation DSS’s NEMT program provides transportation to qualifying medical appointments for Medicaid members and Covered CT enrollees who have no other means of transportation.

DSS currently contracts with Medical Transportation Management (MTM) to provide NEMT services.

COMMITTEE ACTION Human Services Committee SB1298 / File No.

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428 Joint Favorable Yea 22 Nay 0 (03/13/2025) SB1298 / File No.

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