§ 39-14.3-1. Definitions.
Terms used in this chapter shall be construed as follows, unless another meaning is expressed or is clearly apparent from the language or context:
(1) “Certificate” means a certificate of operating authority issued to a non-emergency medical transportation service provider.
(2) “Common carrier” means any person engaging in the business of providing for-hire non-emergency medical transportation services as defined in this chapter.
(3) “Division” means the division of public utilities and carriers.
(4) “Driver” means any person operating a motor vehicle used to provide non-emergency medical transportation services that the person owns or is operating with the expressed or implied consent of the vehicle owner.
(5) “EOHHS” means the Rhode Island executive office of health and human services.
(6) “Non-emergency medical transportation” or “NEMT” means the transportation program established to provide cost-effective NEMT services for individuals eligible for medical assistance under the Medicaid State Plan who need access to healthcare services and have no other means of transportation. The program is inclusive of the Elderly Transportation Program (ETP) and monthly bus pass distribution for the TANF (“RI Works”) program. It is a key benefit of Medicaid defined under 42 C.F.R. 457.1206 and is frequently coordinated by state agencies, departments, and authorities, including the executive office of health and human services and the RIde program administered by the Rhode Island public transit authority, and may be coordinated by a third-party scheduler contracted by such state agency, department, or authority. For the purposes of this chapter, the coordination of transportation by medical facilities when discharging patients/clients shall not be deemed NEMT.
(7) “Non-emergency medical vehicle” (“NEMT vehicle”) means a vehicle operated under the authority of a NEMT certificate holder in vehicles bearing “Public Service” registration plates issued by the department of motor vehicles.
(8) “Passenger” means an individual being transported by a certificated carrier in conformance with the provisions of this chapter.
(9) “Person” means and includes any individual, partnership, corporation, or other association of individuals.
(10) “Public motor vehicle” and “PMV” and “public motor vehicle certificate of operating authority” means the type of vehicle and operating certification process as defined in § 39-14.1-1.
(11) “RIPTA” means the Rhode Island public transit authority.
(12) “Special license” means a license, commonly referred to as a “hackney operator’s license,” issued by the division of public utilities and carriers authorizing drivers to transport passengers for compensation.
(13) “Taxicab” means every motor vehicle identified as such in § 39-14-1.
(14) “Third-party scheduler” means a vendor engaged by a state agency, department, or authority to schedule and coordinate transportation services for clients of the agency, department, or authority.
(15) “Vehicle” means a motor vehicle used to provide non-emergency medical transportation services as defined in this chapter.
(16) “Vehicle markings” means markings required to be affixed to the outside of vehicles identifying the vehicle as providing NEMT service.
(17) “Wheelchair-accessible vehicle” means a vehicle designed and equipped to allow the transportation of a passenger who uses a wheelchair without requiring that passenger to be removed from the wheelchair.
History of Section.
P.L. 2024, ch. 259, § 2, effective August 1, 2024.