Update: Massachusetts Wheelchair Legislation: H3785 and S1948
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
The General Court 2010
24 Beacon Street
Boston, MA
Phone: 617-727-1100
Boston, MA 02133
Website:
http://www.mass.gov/legis/
In January of 2009, Representative Steve Canessa filed
House 3785 and Senator Marc Pacheco filed
Senate 1948 : “An Act Relative to the Transportation of Individuals Seated in Wheelchairs”. Passage of this legislation in the state of Massachusetts would be a very positive step toward improving transportation SAFETY for wheelchair-seated travelers.
Both bills were moved to The Joint Committee on Transportation. On October 6, 2009, I presented oral testimony to the Joint Committee on Transportation at the
State House Hearing for H 3785 and S 1948 ‘An Act Relative to the Transportation of Individuals Seated in Wheelchairs.
Dr. Lawrence W. Schneider, Director of University of Michigan’s RERC WTS, Senators, Representatives and Advocates including The ARC of Massachusetts, Disability Policy Consortium and MANHR – Massachusetts Advocates for Nursing Home Reform submitted written testimony in SUPPORT of this needed legislation.
You can read Dr. Schneider’s expert testimony of strong support submitted October 5, 2009 by clicking on Dr. Lawrence W. Schneider written testimony of support for S.1948 ad H.3785.
Representative Stephen Canessa and Senator Mark Pacheco recently told me some wonderful news. Both bills; House 3785 and Senate 1948 have been reported FAVORABLY out of the Transportation Committee and have been referred to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means and the House Ways and Means for further review. If either the Senate or the House Ways and Means Committee favorably move either bill forward, it will next move to either the full Senate or the full House for approval.
Currently there is no state or federal law which provide for the safety of transporting people seated in wheelchairs. The ONLY state in our country that we know has a law regarding the safety of transporting wheelchair seated passengers is the state of New Jersey.
Passage of this legislation would ensure that wheelchair-seated travelers in the state of Massachusetts are as SAFE as all other citizens traveling in vehicles. Passage of this legislation would help prevent a tragedy in the state of Massachusetts like the one that occurred in the Tragic Ohio Accident for Wheelchair Passengers (AP).
More information regarding Transportation Safety for Wheelchair-Seated Travelers and the need for this important Legislation can be found on my website by clicking on W/C Passenger Safety
Thank-You Representative Stephen Canessa, Senator Marc Pacheco, Senator Joan Menard and all the other Massachusetts State Legislators who support House 3785 and Senate 1948: “An Act Relative to the Transportation of Individuals Seated in Wheelchairs”.
February 13th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
I would think our legislators on Beacon Hill would have to approve this. If they don’t, they would be sending a wrong message that they don’t care about the safety of our disabled citizens who travel in wheelchairs! Great job advocating for this needed law!
February 13th, 2010 at 2:01 pm
It’s shocking that there are absolutely no regulations for protecting the safety of disabled passengers when, in many states, you can get a fine for not putting a safety belt on yourself!
February 14th, 2010 at 11:23 am
It’s ABSURD there is no law to protect the physically disabled! There are laws requiring everyone else to buckle up; and laws which require infants and children to be buckled up in car seats. It’s shocking that our states forgot about the physically disabled who would be at serious risk of injury if they were in an accident. They wouldn’t have the physical capability to protect themselves.
February 16th, 2010 at 8:07 pm
Stephen’s Law in New Jersey was named in honor of my son who broke his femur when his group home van neglected to tie down his wheelchair and shoulder lap belt/or the belts were missing. New Jersey is the only state that has any type of wheelchair securement law. Stephen’s law fines drivers who transport wheelchair passengers who are not secured. We need a second part to the law which would hold facilities accountable if they do not TRAIN their staff properly.
February 25th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Great Advocacy and work on your part Kenny!!