Transit operators: paratransit and dial-a-ride services: assessment.

Existing law requires a for-profit or nonprofit transit operator that receives funds through the Mills-Alquist-Deddeh Act and that provides dial-a-ride or paratransit service to provide those services consistent with certain requirements. Existing law requires a transit operator to honor any current valid identification card for the type of transportation service or discount requested and that has been issued to an individual with disabilities by another transit operator. Existing law establishes in state government the Transportation Agency, which consists of various state entities, including the Department of Transportation. This bill would require the agency, in consultation with public transit operators, to conduct an assessment of the procedures public transit operators use to provide dial-a-ride and paratransit services to individuals with disabilities who are visiting their service territories and are certified to use another in-state public transit operator's similar dial-a-ride and paratransit services. The bill would require the agency to publish the assessment on its internet website on or before July 1, 2021. The bill would require the agency, after conducting and publishing the assessment, to adopt guidelines for the development of a statewide program to enable individuals with disabilities who a public transit operator has certified to use its dial-a-ride and paratransit services to use another in-state public transit operator's similar dial-a-ride and paratransit services.