SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Yesterday, the Minnesota House Human Services Policy Committee heard HF 1067, authored by Rep. Jess Hanson (DFL - Burnsville), which will allow personal care assistants to be reimbursed for their time when providing client transportation.
“Living with a disability should not restrict Minnesotans’ access to move about the world as they need or choose,” said Hanson. “Even if individuals have their own adaptive vehicles but need someone else to drive them, providers and agencies cannot be reimbursed for the time spent driving. In many places around Minnesota, there are few or no alternatives for transportation for people with disabilities. Therefore, lack of transportation is the leading cause of unemployment for people with disabilities. This is another bill that values the inherent dignity of our neighbors with disabilities and I’m optimistic we can pass it this session.”
This bill has been heard in previous sessions with bipartisan support. In the same vein, the committee showed bipartisan interest in moving the bill to the floor as quickly as possible. The Senate’s companion bill is moving through its committee processes.
The bill now heads to the House Human Services Finance Committee.
###