Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman YVONNE LOPEZ
District 19 (Middlesex)
Assemblyman VINCENT MAZZEO
District 2 (Atlantic)
Assemblyman STERLEY S. STANLEY
District 18 (Middlesex)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblyman Conaway, Assemblywoman Vainieri Huttle and Assemblyman Benson
SYNOPSIS
Requires DOT and NJT to study and implement transportation mobility and accessibility improvements for persons with autism and developmental disabilities.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning transportation mobility and accessibility for persons with autism and developmental disabilities and supplementing Title 27 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The Department of Transportation, in conjunction with the New Jersey Transit Corporation and the Department of Human Services shall conduct a holistic review of current infrastructure design practices for new and rehabilitated public highways and public transportation projects, as those terms are defined pursuant to section 3 of P.L.1984, c.73 (C.27:1B-3). Upon completion of the review, the department shall adopt new and revised design practices that implement design elements and result in infrastructure improvement projects that promote the ability of individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and developmental disabilities to travel independently.
b. The Department of Transportation, in conjunction with the New Jersey Transit Corporation and the Department of Human Services shall conduct a study of nationwide best practices, that identifies ways to operate public roadway facilities, public transportation services, and any mobility programs operated or funded under the Department of Human Services in a manner that makes transportation services and mobility programs more accessible for individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and developmental disabilities.
c. The Department of Transportation shall encourage regional and local entities that apply for funding through the local aid program, pursuant to section 25 of P.L.1984, c.73 (C.27:1B-25), to adopt comparable design policies and best practices that are consistent with the measures adopted at the State level pursuant to subsection a. and subsection b. of this section.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT), the New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJT) and the Department of Human Services (DHS) to conduct a holistic review of current infrastructure design practices for public highways and public transportation projects. Upon completion of the review, new and revised design practices are to be adopted that will result in projects that promote the ability of individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and developmental disabilities to travel independently.
DOT, NJT, and DHS are also to conduct a study of nationwide best practices that identifies ways to operate public roadway facilities, public transportation services, and mobility programs operated or funded under the DHS in a manner that makes transportation services and mobility programs more accessible for individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and developmental disabilities
The DOT is required to encourage regional and local entities that apply for funding through the local aid program to adopt infrastructure design practices and best practices that are consistent with State practices.