(1) On or before January 1, 2019, the state department shall create and implement an efficient and cost-effective method for meeting urgent transportation needs within the existing nonemergency medical transportation benefit under the medical assistance program. Urgent transportation needs include discharge from inpatient, emergency services, and other urgent but nonemergency services, as determined by the state department.

(2) The method created by the state department must include, at a minimum:

(a) Medical service provider or facility access to approved transportation providers for patients with urgent transportation needs;

(b) Access to transportation providers that have obtained the necessary background checks, drug tests, training, and vehicle inspections, as required by the state department; and

(c) An efficient method for obtaining and paying for transportation services for urgent transportation needs.

(3) The state department may contract for background checks, drug tests, training, and vehicle inspections that may be required pursuant to subsection (2) of this section.

(4) (a) The state department shall annually report on the implementation and effectiveness of the process created in this section for meeting urgent transportation needs within the nonemergency medical transportation benefit. The state department shall present the report as part of its annual presentation to the health and human services committee of the senate and the public health and human services committee of the house of representatives, or any successor committees, that is held each year during the interim prior to the legislative session, as required pursuant to section 2-7-203.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 24-1-136 (11)(a)(I) to the contrary, the report required pursuant to this section shall continue until the beginning of the 2025 legislative session.

(c) This section is repealed, effective July 1, 2025.