06-R
117
2006 -- S 2690
Enacted 03/09/06
S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N
REQUESTING THE
DEPARTMENT OF ELDERLY AFFAIRS AND THE ADVISORY COMMISSION ON AGING TO STUDY ALL
ASPECTS OF THE INDEPENDENT TRANSPORTATION NETWORK
Introduced By: Senator John
J. Tassoni
Date Introduced: February
14, 2006
WHEREAS,
There are approximately 190,000 Rhode Island residents over the age of
sixty,
constituting 18% of the state's population; and
WHEREAS,
Senior Americans depend upon the private automobile for transportation to
healthcare
appointments, family visits, and the social and civic activities that support
community
and
the quality of life; and
WHEREAS,
This dependence on the private automobile poses serious safety and
mobility
problems for diminished capacity senior drivers; and
WHEREAS,
To effectively address transportation needs when physical changes or illness
impede
safe driving, alternatives must be provided to supplement or replace the
private
automobile;
and
WHEREAS,
According to the State Plan on Aging 2004-2007, "A critical issue
currently
being
studied by the [Advisory Commission on Aging] is that of senior drivers, with
the goal of
creating
a viable policy that protects the independence of elders while safeguarding the
motoring
public
at large"; and
WHEREAS,
There exists an increasing number of senior Rhode Islanders needing
transportation
services and a vast number of people and organizations willing to provide these
services
on a volunteer basis; and
WHEREAS,
The Independent Transportation Network® (ITN®), a non-profit,
community
based transportation system, is a tested and successful model for matching
transportation
services to those senior citizens requiring these services with little or no
public
investment;
now, therefore be it
RESOLVED,
That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
hereby
respectfully requests the Department of Elderly Affairs, in partnership with
the Advisory
Commission
on Aging, to work together with ITNAmerica™, the non-profit organization that
assists
communities with ITN® replications, to study the ITN® model as a viable
transportation
option
for the senior residents in this State; and be it further
RESOLVED,
That the Department and the Commission provide findings and
recommendations
to the Governor and the General Assembly, no later than January 2, 2007,
including,
but not limited to: (1) the mechanisms available to match those senior
residents
needing
transportation services to those willing to provide such services; (2) the
ability to
replicate
the ITN® model in one or more communities in Rhode Island; (3) the appropriate
organizations
to initiate a replication of the ITN® model in Rhode Island; (4) the initial
financial
investment
required to bring an ITN® replication online using both public and private
sector
funding;
(5) the long-term financial investments required from the private sector to
sustain an
ITN®
replication's operations in Rhode Island; (6) the possible legal and/or
regulatory barriers
that
exist to prevent the successful replication of the ITN® model in Rhode Island;
and (7) the
projected
number of individuals that could be served by such transportation services
during a
five-year
period; and be it further
RESOLVED,
That the Department and the Commission may request the participation
and
cooperation of other agencies, organizations and businesses such as the
American
Automobile
Association, American Association of Retired Persons, Department of
Transportation,
and RI Public Transit Authority to carry out the provisions of this Resolution;
and
be
it further
RESOLVED,
That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to
transmit
duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Governor Donald L.
Carcieri, the
Speaker
of the House, the President of the Senate, the Department of Elderly Affairs,
and the
Advisory
Commission on Aging.
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LC02123
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