Chapter 1. Title Of Act And Policy of California Government Code >> Division 3. >> Title 2. >> Part 13. >> Chapter 1.

This part shall be known and cited as the "Social Service Transportation Improvement Act."

It is the intent of the Legislature, through the enactment of this part, to improve transportation service required by social service recipients by promoting the consolidation of social service transportation services so that the following benefits may accrue:
  (a) Combined purchasing of necessary equipment so that some cost savings through larger number of unit purchases can be realized.
  (b) Adequate training of vehicle drivers to insure the safe operation of vehicles. Proper driver training should promote lower insurance costs and encourage use of the service.
  (c) Centralized dispatching of vehicles so that efficient use of vehicles results.
  (d) Centralized maintenance of vehicles so that adequate and routine vehicle maintenance scheduling is possible.
  (e) Centralized administration of various social service transportation programs so that elimination of numerous duplicative and costly administrative organizations can occur. Centralized administration of social service transportation services can provide more efficient and cost effective transportation services permitting social service agencies to respond to specific social needs.
  (f) Identification and consolidation of all existing sources of funding for social service transportation services can provide more effective and cost efficient use of scarce resource dollars. Consolidation of categorical program funds can foster eventual elimination of unnecessary and unwarranted program constraints.

(a) Centralized administration of consolidated social service transportation services shall utilize, to the maximum extent possible, existing public and private administrative capabilities and expertise. Utilization of existing administrative capabilities and expertise shall not require employment of those public and private administrative personnel nor shall it preclude any consolidated agency from developing a necessary administrative organization.
  (b) Efficient and continual use of all existing sources of funding, utilized prior to the enactment of this part for social service transportation services, shall, to the maximum extent possible, be continued. Social service agencies participating in consolidation or coordination shall continue to maintain funding levels for consolidated services necessary to meet the transportation needs of their social service consumers. Rescinding or eliminating funding for consolidated services by any participating agency shall require cancellation of service to the agency's consumers by the consolidated agency. Cancellation of the service shall not be required if rescission or elimination of funding occurs because of a program change with respect to the source of funding.
  (c) Consolidation of social service transportation services shall, to the maximum extent possible, utilize existing agency operating and maintenance personnel and expertise. Effective use of employees of participating agencies shall be achieved without mandating that the employees become directly employed by the designated consolidated agency.
  (d) Consolidation of existing social service transportation services shall more appropriately be achieved if local elected officials are involved in the process. Local elected officials shall, to the maximum extent possible, be involved in the development of the action plans and other local actions necessary for the successful implementation of this part.