HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 68

(By Mr. Speaker, Mr. Kiss, and Delegates R. M. Thompson, Amores, Anderson, Armstead, Ashley, Azinger, Beach, Beane, Blair, Boggs, Border, Browning, Butcher, Calvert, Campbell, Canterbury, Caputo, Carmichael, Caruth, Crosier, DeLong, Doyle, Duke, Ellem, Evans, Ferrell, Fleischauer, Foster, Fragale, Frederick, Frich, Hall, Hamilton, Hartman, Hatfield, Houston, Howard, Hrutkay, Iaquinta, Kominar, Kuhn, Leggett, Long, Louisos, Mahan, Manchin, Manuel, Martin, Michael, Morgan, Overington, Palumbo, Paxton, Perdue, Perry, Pethtel, Poling, Renner, Romine, Schadler, Shaver, Shelton, Smirl, Sobonya, Spencer, Stalnaker, Staton, Stemple, Sumner, Susman, Swartzmiller, Tabb, Talbott, R. M. Thompson, Trump, Tucker, Wakim, Walters, Warner, Webb, Webster, G. White, H. White, Williams, Wright, Yeager and Yost )
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to conduct a study of the transportation needs of the women, persons living below the poverty level, elderly, veterans and persons with disabilities and others living in West Virginia.

Whereas, According to The Status of Women in West Virginia developed by the Institute for Women's Policy Research, as of 2002, a majority of 58 percent of West Virginia's rural residents live in areas that are not served by any public transportation, while 23 percent have below average access to transportation service; and Whereas, Women in West Virginia have the lowest levels of educational attainment in the country; and
Whereas, Women in West Virginia are much more likely to live in poverty than women nationally; and
Whereas, Women in West Virginia are among the most likely in the country to die of heart disease or lung cancer, to have diabetes, and to experience activity limitations due to their health status; and
Whereas, The conclusions and policy recommendations of the study done by the Institute for Women's Policy Research, it was determined that the delivery of social services to women, including access to appropriate transportation, was necessary to improve the quality of life for women in West Virginia; and
Whereas, The care of elderly relatives in West Virginia falls almost entirely on women, they must overcome the lack of transportation to health care facilities, nutrition sites, educational programs, and wellness centered activities in senior centers; and
Whereas, West Virginia's elderly population is increasing and now ranks as the oldest median population in the nation; and
Whereas, West Virginia is a very rural state with many of its women, elderly, veterans and persons with disabilities living in areas that are not served by mass transit; and
Whereas, Transportation is an integral part of a person's ability to maintain a healthy life style; and
Whereas, It is the policy of this State to encourage and promote the development of resources to ensure the effective care and treatment of persons who are dependent upon the services of others by reason of age, a physical or mental impairment; and
Whereas, In recognition that for many such 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 such 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 both passengers and transportation providers; utilizing 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 women, elderly residents, veterans and persons with disabilities and others in order to ensure the development of the resources and the protection of the rights and dignity of those persons; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the findings and recommendations resulting from the study shall be reported to the Legislature by the beginning of the regular session of the year 2005, together with drafts of any proposed legislation necessary to effectuate such recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance shall receive from Legislature funding to meet expenses incurred by the undertaking of the study.