Massachusetts House Bill H2403

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/27/25
• Refer: 2/27/25

Caption

Establishing the human service transportation (HST) consumer advisory board

Impact

The formation of the HST Consumer Advisory Board signifies a proactive approach towards improving transportation services specifically catered towards vulnerable populations, particularly persons with disabilities. The board is tasked with gathering consumer feedback, making recommendations for service improvements, and proposing guidelines to enhance service quality. This could potentially lead to broader legislative adjustments aimed at ensuring better inclusivity and accessibility in transportation services across Massachusetts.

Summary

House Bill 2403, introduced by Representative Mindy Domb, proposes the establishment of the Human Service Transportation (HST) Consumer Advisory Board within the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services. The primary objective of this board is to enhance the quality of non-emergency transportation services for individuals with disabilities, ensuring they have reliable access to medical, community, and other necessary health and human services throughout the Commonwealth. This initiative aims to address existing challenges and improve consumer experiences with these services.

Contention

Though the bill seeks to promote consumer advocacy and service enhancement, potential points of contention may arise regarding the allocation of resources for the board's operations and the effectiveness of public engagements such as listening sessions. Moreover, stakeholders might debate how the recommendations made by the board are implemented by the Human Services Transportation Office and the extent to which those changes will genuinely reflect consumer needs. Ensuring that the board includes diverse consumer perspectives and adequately represents all affected populations will be crucial for its success.