Introduced By: Representatives Slater, Carpenter, Almeida, Williams and Fox
Date Introduced : February 2, 1999
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Chapter 39-18 of the General Laws entitled "Rhode Island Public Transit Authority" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
{ADD 39-18-4.1. Health and safety of passengers. -- ADD} {ADD (a) The authority shall have the power to establish reasonable rules of conduct for passengers for the protection of the health and safety of passengers and employees of the authority. The rules shall incorporate the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 USC section 12101 et seq., and section 28-5.1-7, chapters 11-28 and 42-87 and be promulgated in accordance with the provisions of chapter 42-35. ADD}
{ADD (b) All controversies arising out of application of any provision of this section shall be determined by the general manager or his or her designated hearing officer, who shall afford a hearing to the passenger and/or his or her parent or guardian, and, after hearing, shall render a written decision. The decision of the general manager or hearing officer shall be final except that the passenger aggrieved by the decision shall have a right of appeal to the superior court, which shall affirm the decision unless it is clearly erroneous or contrary to law. The hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 42-35. ADD}
{ADD (c) Notice shall be provided to the RIde funding agency or agencies, for any hearing regarding their client/passengers on RIde vehicles. A representative of the RIde funding agency or agencies may attend the hearing. The general manager or hearing officer will consider the recommendation of the RIde funding agency's representative in rendering his/her decision. ADD}
{ADD (d) The decision of the general manager or hearing officer may include: ADD}
{ADD (1) refusing to transport a person whose violation of the rules of the authority threatens the health and safety of passengers or employees of the authority, for a period not to exceed six (6) months; and/or. ADD}
{ADD (2) revoking a passenger's ticket, pass, or other fare medium, regardless of the number of trips or time period for which the ticket, pass, or other fare medium is valid, if the passenger's continued presence on an authority vehicle or at an authority facility threatens the health or safety of the authority's other passengers or employees. The authority shall within a reasonable time after such a revocation, refund to the passenger the unused value of the ticket, pass, or other fare medium. ADD}
{ADD (e) Nothing under this section precludes any other action permitted by law. ADD}
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
