SF No. 1292 establishes a procedure to certify that nonemergency medical transportation service providers subject to the operating standards for special transportation service meet those standards. This bill also establishes a new rate structure for nonemergency medical transportation based on a client’s assessed transportation needs.

Section 1 (174.29, subd. 1) adds certain nonemergency medical transportation services to the definition of special transportation services.

Section 2 (174.30, subd. 3) requires the Commissioner of Transportation to inspect the safety features required in vehicles designated as protected transport under section 256B.0625, subdivision 17.

Section 3 (174.30, subd. 4, paragraph e) requires certain nonemergency medical transportation providers and special transportation service providers to pay a $45 annual fee to obtain a decal signifying possession of a certificate of compliance with the operating standards for special transportation services, and exempts ambulance services from this fee. The revenue from the fee is appropriated to the Commissioner of Transportation to pay for the inspection program.

Paragraph (g) permits nonemergency medical transportation providers to use the phrase “nonemergency medical transportation” in their name, advertisements or information describing their service, thereby exempting nonemergency medical transportation providers from a Minnesota Rule that prohibits special transportation service providers from using in their name, advertisements, or information describing their service, any words that offer, suggest, or imply they provide ambulance service.

Section 4 (174.30, subd. 4b) permits the Commissioner of Transportation to issue a variance from the operating standards for special transportation services to nonemergency medical transportation providers who were not subject to the operating standards prior to July 1, 2014. Providers may apply for a variance if they will not be able to meet the operating standards within six months following the enactment of this subdivision.  No variance may exceed 60 days, unless extended by the commissioner.

Section 5 (256B.0625, subd. 17) creates a new rate structure for nonemergency medical transportation and thereby implements the new modes of transportation placed in statute in 2014, implementation of which was contingent on a new rate structure.

Paragraph (b) places taxicabs and public transit on separate line on a list.

Paragraph (f) eliminates the rate structure for special transportation services provided to eligible persons who need a wheelchair accessible van; clarifies that which procedure is to be used for receiving authorization to deviate from route and mileage limitations depends on whether or not the single administrative structure and delivery system described under section 256B.0625, subdivision 18e, has been implemented; and reorganizes the paragraph.

Old paragraph (g) eliminates redundant language contained in paragraph h.

New paragraph (g) permits acquaintances of a client to receive client reimbursement for providing qualifying transportation to the client and moves language concerning protected transport to clause (6).

Paragraph (i) clarifies that local agencies will assume responsibility for administering the nonemergency medical transportation program only after the commissioner has developed, made available, and funded the single administrative structure and delivery system described under section 256B.0625, subdivision 18e, but limits counties' financial obligations.

Paragraph (l) creates a new rate structure for nonemergency medical transportation based on a client’s assessed mode of transportation.

Paragraph (m) provides adjustments to the base rate for services provided in super rural areas and to the mileage rates for services provided in rural and super rural areas.

Paragraph (n) makes technical and conforming changes.

Old paragraph (o) strikes a rate decrease for nonemergency medical transportation.

Section 6 (256B.0625, subd. 17a) strikes a rate decrease for ambulance services.

Section 7 (256B.0625, subd. 18a) strikes language concerning direct mileage reimbursement that is replaced by the client reimbursement language in section 256B.0625, subdivision 17, paragraph (l).

Section 8 (256b.0625, subd. 18e) requires the Commissioner of Human Services to coordinate with the Commissioner of Transportation in developing the single administrative structure and delivery system for nonemergency medical transportation.

Section 9 (Laws 2014, Chapter 312, Article 45, subdivision 2) modifies the expiration date of variances from the operating standards for special transportation service issued by the Commissioner of Human Services to new nonemergency medical transportation providers.