HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 15
(By Delegates Mr. Speaker, Mr Kiss, and Delegates Amores,
Anderson, Angotti, Ashley, Azinger, Beach, Beane, Boggs, Border,
Brown, Browning, Butcher, Campbell, Cann, Canterbury, Caputo,
Carmichael, Coleman, Craig, DeLong, Dempsey, Doyle, Ellem, Ennis,
Fahey, Faircloth, Ferrell, Flanigan, Fleischauer, Fletcher, Fox,
Fragale, Frederick, Givens, Hall, Hatfield, Evans, Hrutkay,
Hubbard, Keener, Kominar, Kuhn, Leach, Leggett, Louisos, Mahan,
Manchin, Manuel, Marshall, McGraw, Mezzatesta, Michael, Morgan,
Overington, Paxton, Perdue, Perry, Pethtel, Pino, Poling,
Proudfoot, Prunty, Riggs, Romine, Schadler, Shaver, Shelton,
Smirl, L. Smith, Spencer, Stalnaker, Staton, Stephens, Susman,
Swartzmiller, R. Thompson, R. M. Thompson, Trump, Tucker, Varner,
Walters, Warner, Webb, Webster, C. White, G. White, H. White,
Williams, Wills, Wright, Yeager)
[Introduced March 8, 2001; referred to the
Committee on Rules.]
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to conduct
a study of the transportation needs of the elderly, veterans
and persons with disabilities living in West Virginia.
Whereas, West Virginia's elderly population is increasing and
now has the oldest median age population in the United States; and
Whereas, West Virginia is a very rural state with many of its
elderly, veterans and persons with disabilities living in areas
that are not served by mass transit; and
Whereas, Only 24 of West Virginia's 55 counties are served by
taxi companies; and
whereas, Transportation is an integral part of a person's ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle; and
Whereas, It is the policy of this state to encourage and
promote the development and use of reserves to ensure the effective
care and treatment of persons who are dependent upon the services
of others by reason of a physical or mental impairment; and
Whereas, In recognition that for many of these persons,
effective care and treatment can only be secured from proprietary,
voluntary and governmental offerings, it is the policy of this
state to ensure the protection of the rights and dignity of those
using the services; and
Whereas, A guiding principle of administration of the laws of
this state is that such persons shall be encouraged and assisted in
securing necessary care, services and treatment; and
Whereas, It is the policy of this state to encourage and
promote the coordination of all agencies, political subdivisions,
proprietary and voluntary offerings; and
Whereas, A coordinated transportation system increases
efficiency by clustering and matching both passengers and
transportation providers, using fewer one-way trips, providing more
needed services, and coordinating the various public and private
resources; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to conduct a study of the state's transportation system
as it relates to the health care maintenance of elderly residents,
veterans and persons with disabilities in order to ensure the
development and use of the resources and the protection of the
rights and dignity of those persons; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2002, on
its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts
of any legislation necessary to effect its recommendations; and, be
it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this
study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be
paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on
Government and Finance.