By Bob Katzen

The Senate 39-0, approved and sent to the House a bill designed to improve interactions between police officers and persons with autism spectrum disorder during traffic stops.

The measure, dubbed the “Blue Envelope” Bill” would create a voluntary program giving people with the disorder the option to be given a special blue envelope that holds the person’s driver’s license, vehicle registration and insurance cards. On the outside of the envelope there would be specific instructions for police officers on the driver’s diagnosis, impairments, triggers, emergency contact information and best practices for communicating. The bill is designed to enable the driver to quickly and easily hand the envelope to a police officer during a traffic stop.

“The Blue Envelope Bill will make our commonwealth a safer place for people who are neuro-diverse,” said sponsor Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton). “It moves us closer to equal opportunity and access for people of all abilities.”

“The Blue Envelope Bill would be a game changer for our family and for so many Massachusetts residents,” said Ilyse Levine-Kanji, an Executive Committee member of Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts. “Like many people with autism, my 25-year-old son Sam does not have any physical characteristics that indicate he has autism.”

Levine-Kanji continued, “In a stressful situation, where split second decisions must be made, I’m relieved that a police officer could see a blue envelope in Sam’s car and immediately understand that any unusual behavior or speech pattern is a result of autism. Thus, this bill could dramatically decrease the possibility of a tragic misunderstanding.”

(A “Yes” vote is for the bill.)

Sen. Patricia Jehlen Yes