EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb1199*
HOUSE BILL 1199
R2 4lr2185
CF SB 891
By: Delegate Edelson
Introduced and read first time: February 8, 2024
Assigned to: Environment and Transportation
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Transportation – MobilityLink Paratransit Service Improvements – Study 2
FOR the purpose of requiring the Maryland Transportation Institute at the University of 3
Maryland to conduct a study to identify methods to improve the Maryland Transit 4
Administration’s ADA MobilityLink paratransit service; and generally relating to 5
the study to identify methods to improve the Administration’s ADA MobilityLink 6
paratransit service. 7
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 8
That: 9
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 10
(2) “ADA” means the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. 11
(3) “Administration” means the Maryland Transit Administration. 12
(b) The Maryland Transportation Institute at the University of Maryland shall 13
conduct a study to identify methods to improve the Maryland Transit Administration’s 14
ADA MobilityLink paratransit service. 15
(c) The study shall: 16
(1) summarize and compare the Administration’s MobilityLink service to 17
similar entities nationwide that provide ADA paratransit services; 18
(2) identify the service structure of ADA paratransit services in other 19
service areas nationwide and whether a public entity, private contractor, or hybrid model 20
is used to provide the service, including consideration of how the following services are 21
provided: 22
2 HOUSE BILL 1199
(i) fleet ownership; 1
(ii) fleet maintenance; 2
(iii) dispatch; 3
(iv) reservations; 4
(v) scheduling; 5
(vi) operators; 6
(vii) mechanics; 7
(viii) customer service; 8
(ix) quality assurance and control; and 9
(x) any other relevant aspects as the Maryland Transportation 10
Institute deems necessary; 11
(3) analyze both the short– and long–term fiscal costs and savings 12
associated with each type of ADA paratransit service model, including a comparison of the 13
quality of service and reliability of each service model; 14
(4) analyze the performance metrics associated with the ADA paratransit 15
services in various service areas nationwide based on the Federal Transit Administration’s 16
ADA Guidance for metrics, including: 17
(i) on–time performance for pick–ups and drop–offs; 18
(ii) missed trips; 19
(iii) onboard transit times; 20
(iv) excessive trip lengths; 21
(v) call center hold times and performance; 22
(vi) rate of customer complaints and resolution; and 23
(vii) safety conditions and practices on paratransit vehicles; 24
(5) analyze the workforce metrics among the ADA paratransit services in 25
various service areas nationwide, including: 26
(i) turnover rate; 27 HOUSE BILL 1199 3
(ii) average length of employment; 1
(iii) absenteeism rate; 2
(iv) accidents and preventable accident rates; 3
(v) workplace injury rates; 4
(vi) workers’ compensation claims rates; 5
(vii) career training opportunities; 6
(viii) career advancement opportunities; 7
(ix) average wages and benefits; 8
(x) morale and satisfaction; and 9
(xi) any other relevant aspects as the Maryland Transportation 10
Institute deems necessary; 11
(6) solicit input and comments from the public and riders of the 12
Administration’s MobilityLink paratransit service; and 13
(7) develop recommendations for service improvements to the 14
Administration’s MobilityLink paratransit service, considering long–term costs and 15
benefits alongside a qualitative analysis to enhance the delivery of high–quality service to 16
MobilityLink riders. 17
(d) The Governor may include in the fiscal year 2026 budget bill an appropriation 18
of at least $150,000 for the purpose of carrying out the study required under subsection (b) 19
of this section. 20
(e) On or before July 1, 2025, the Maryland Transportation Institute shall submit 21
a report on its findings and recommendations to: 22
(1) the Governor; 23
(2) in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article: 24
(i) the General Assembly; 25
(ii) the members of the Anne Arundel County Delegation to the 26
Maryland General Assembly; 27
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(iii) the members of the Baltimore County Delegation to the 1
Maryland General Assembly; and 2
(iv) the members of the Baltimore City Delegation to the Maryland 3
General Assembly; 4
(3) the County Executive and County Council of Anne Arundel County; 5
(4) the County Executive and County Council of Baltimore County; and 6
(5) the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore City. 7
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 8
1, 2024. It shall remain effective for a period of 1 year and 6 months and, at the end of 9
December 31, 2025, this Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall 10
be abrogated and of no further force and effect. 11