A change to driving requirements for care assistants could offer greater access, cost savings

Personal care assistants can accompany, but not drive without clocking out, people they support to medical appointments, family visits and other activities of community living.

Allowing the elderly, people with disabilities and others with special heath care needs to be driven by their personal care assistants could offer them more freedom, fuller participation in their communities, and save the state money.

Rep. Jessica Hanson

Rep. Jessica Hanson (DFL-Burnsville) sponsors HF4085, which would allow personal care assistants to be on the clock to drive the people they support.

The bill was laid over Wednesday by the House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee for possible omnibus bill inclusion.

A personal care assistant driving would provide greater access for people who have a disability, especially in areas where alternative transportation is limited or not available, according to an information sheet submitted to the committee by bill advocates.

The proposed legislation might also mean cost savings for the state. The alternative to a personal care assistant driving to medical centers is using more expensive transports such as ambulances. The change could also avoid people moving into more costly waiver services due solely to transportation issues.  

The companion, SF3456, is sponsored by Sen. Jim Abeler (R-Anoka) and awaits action by the Senate Human Services Reform Finance and Policy Committee.