§ 39-14.3-1. Definitions.
Terms used in this chapter shall be construed as follows, unless another meaning is
expressed or is clearly apparent from the language or context:
(1) "Certificate� means a certificate of operating authority issued to a non-emergency
medical transportation service provider.
(2) "Common carrier� means any person engaging in the business of providing for-hire non-emergency
medical transportation services as defined in this chapter.
(3) "Division� means the division of public utilities and carriers.
(4) "Driver� means any person operating a motor vehicle used to provide non-emergency
medical transportation services that the person owns or is operating with the expressed
or implied consent of the vehicle owner.
(5) "EOHHS� means the Rhode Island executive office of health and human services.
(6) "Non-emergency medical transportation� or "NEMT� means the transportation program
established to provide cost-effective NEMT services for individuals eligible for medical
assistance under the Medicaid State Plan who need access to healthcare services and
have no other means of transportation. The program is inclusive of the Elderly Transportation
Program (ETP) and monthly bus pass distribution for the TANF ("RI Works�) program.
It is a key benefit of Medicaid defined under 42 C.F.R. 457.1206 and is frequently coordinated by state agencies, departments, and authorities, including
the executive office of health and human services and the RIde program administered
by the Rhode Island public transit authority, and may be coordinated by a third-party
scheduler contracted by such state agency, department, or authority. For the purposes
of this chapter, the coordination of transportation by medical facilities when discharging
patients/clients shall not be deemed NEMT.
(7) "Non-emergency medical vehicle� ("NEMT vehicle�) means a vehicle operated under the
authority of a NEMT certificate holder in vehicles bearing "Public Service� registration
plates issued by the department of motor vehicles.
(8) "Passenger� means an individual being transported by a certificated carrier in conformance
with the provisions of this chapter.
(9) "Person� means and includes any individual, partnership, corporation, or other association
of individuals.
(10) "Public motor vehicle� and "PMV� and "public motor vehicle certificate of operating
authority� means the type of vehicle and operating certification process as defined
in § 39-14.1-1.
(11) "RIPTA� means the Rhode Island public transit authority.
(12) "Special license� means a license, commonly referred to as a "hackney operator's license,�
issued by the division of public utilities and carriers authorizing drivers to transport
passengers for compensation.
(13) "Taxicabâ€� means every motor vehicle identified as such in § 39-14-1.
(14) "Third-party scheduler� means a vendor engaged by a state agency, department, or authority
to schedule and coordinate transportation services for clients of the agency, department,
or authority.
(15) "Vehicle� means a motor vehicle used to provide non-emergency medical transportation
services as defined in this chapter.
(16) "Vehicle markings� means markings required to be affixed to the outside of vehicles
identifying the vehicle as providing NEMT service.
(17) "Wheelchair-accessible vehicle� means a vehicle designed and equipped to allow the
transportation of a passenger who uses a wheelchair without requiring that passenger
to be removed from the wheelchair.