Assemblymember Diane Papan’s Bill to Ease Paratransit Access for Riders with Permanent Disabilities Advances in State Senate

SACRAMENTO, CA — A measure authored by Assemblymember Diane Papan to streamline paratransit eligibility for people with permanent disabilities has passed the Senate Committee on Transportation with bipartisan support.

Assembly Bill 1250 will reduce unnecessary bureaucracy by requiring transit agencies to create a simplified, five-year recertification process for riders whose disabilities are not expected to change. Under the bill, qualifying individuals could recertify by phone, mail, or an online form—eliminating repeated in-person assessments and medical documentation.

“Paratransit is a lifeline, not a luxury,” said Assemblymember Papan (D–San Mateo). “For individuals with permanent disabilities, it’s both cruel and inefficient to force them to prove their condition over and over just to access basic mobility. Assembly Bill 1250 acknowledges their dignity while helping agencies focus on service—not paperwork.”

Paratransit services provide curb-to-curb or door-to-door transit for individuals unable to use fixed-route public transportation due to a disability, as required under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). However, recertification requirements vary widely across California, often requiring complex forms, doctors’ visits, and in-person interviews—regardless of whether a rider’s condition has changed.

Assembly Bill 1250 addresses this fragmented and inequitable approach by establishing a reasonable standard. Riders whose medical condition is deemed permanent and unchanging would be eligible for simplified recertification every five years, without the need to resubmit medical verification or attend in-person evaluations.

“This is about fairness and common sense,” said Papan. “No one should lose access to vital transportation just because they struggle with paperwork or can’t make it to a doctor’s office. Assembly Bill 1250 brings consistency, compassion, and efficiency to paratransit eligibility in California.”

The bill preserves the ability of transit agencies to conduct full reassessments in limited cases, such as a reported change in condition or a request for expanded service, ensuring appropriate oversight remains in place.

Assembly Bill 1250 now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration.