Blue Envelopes in Washington State

 In The Politics of Autism, I discuss interactions between first responders and autistic people.  Some jurisdictions allow autistic drivers to ask for a blue envelope to disclose the driver's diagnosis in case of an accident or traffic stop.  Others have ID cards.

A release from Washington State Rep. Carolyn Eslick:

Legislation aimed at preventing misunderstandings during traffic stops and improving safety for drivers with autism and other neurodivergent conditions has been signed into law by Gov. Bob Ferguson.

House Bill 2323, sponsored by Rep. Carolyn Eslick, directs the Washington State Department of Licensing to establish a statewide Blue Envelope Program. The envelope will hold essential documents, including vehicle registration and proof of insurance, and include printed guidance for drivers and responding officers on how to communicate during a traffic stop.

The concept was first adopted statewide in Connecticut in 2020 and has since been implemented through a mix of state laws and local law enforcement programs across the country.

Research shows interactions with law enforcement are not uncommon for people on the autism spectrum, with a significant share of young adults reporting being stopped and questioned by police. In high-stress situations, some individuals may have difficulty responding quickly or may exhibit behaviors that can be misinterpreted. Sensory triggers such as flashing lights, sirens and rapid commands can heighten stress and complicate communication.

“This is about protecting people in a moment when a simple misunderstanding can have serious consequences,” said Eslick, R-Sultan. “For someone who processes the world differently, a traffic stop can be overwhelming and frightening. Through this bill, we are providing a clear way for drivers to communicate their needs and help officers respond with awareness, patience and understanding so everyone gets home safely.”

Under the law, blue envelopes will be available at no cost at driver licensing offices statewide and by request. Participation is voluntary, and no medical documentation is required. The Department of Licensing will also provide information about the program online.

House Bill 2323 passed the House on a 92-1 vote and the Senate 47-0 before being signed into law. It takes effect June 11.

Blue Envelopes in New Jersey

 In The Politics of Autism, I discuss interactions between first responders and autistic people.  Some jurisdictions allow autistic drivers to ask for a blue envelope to disclose the driver's diagnosis in case of an accident or traffic stop.  Others have ID cards.

 Mat Fagan and Gene Myers at NorthJersey.com:

[M]ore and more police departments and other law enforcement agencies throughout the state are adopting New Jersey's Blue Envelope Program. The program's goal is to inform officers as fast as possible that the driver they have stopped has a developmental disorder, which may explain their unusual behavior.

Those drivers who participate in the program will get a blue envelope they can place on their vehicle's sun visor or hand over to law enforcement officers during a stop. The envelope holds their essential documents, including license, registration and a contact card. Officers are trained to recognize the blue envelope and its meaning.

Englewood’s Christopher Gagliardi, 43, who has autism, said the bright red and blue lights atop police cars are scary. He's hoping the program helps to ensure that there's "no brutality or any kind of abuse against people with special needs like myself and especially on the autism spectrum disorder that are affected by the terror and fear of police officers."

Once the driver shows or hands over the blue envelope, it alerts the officers to the situation, and they then are able to put training and guidance on best practices into effect. The training will have covered how best to interact and communicate with drivers with autism, said Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia Valdes.

...

A new study found that a third of teens who have autism without intellectual disability earn a driver's license. Nearly 90% of them do so within two years of getting their learner’s permit.

Blue Envelopes in Arizona

 In The Politics of Autism, I discuss interactions between first responders and autistic people.  Some jurisdictions allow autistic drivers to ask for a blue envelope to disclose the driver's diagnosis in case of an accident or traffic stop .

From Arizona DOT:

Arizona is launching a program through which drivers on the autism spectrum can place their credentials in special blue envelopes to enhance communication with law enforcement officers during traffic stops.

This voluntary program, which includes education for law enforcement officers, follows a model used successfully in Connecticut. The envelope will have instructions for the driver and law enforcement officer to follow and advise the officer that the driver may respond differently to instructions in situations that can increase anxiety.

To provide the necessary groundwork and training, the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division is partnering with the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) and the University of Arizona’s Police Department, Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, and Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (ArizonaLEND) training program.

“When I heard about this program in Connecticut, I was extremely fascinated and intrigued to see if we could incorporate it here in Arizona,“ ADOT MVD Director Eric Jorgensen said. “MVD is thrilled to be partnering with DPS and the University of Arizona Police Department to help calm what can otherwise be potentially stressful situations.”

This program will function similarly to the one Connecticut established in 2020. The blue envelope is a voluntary way to hold important vehicle documents such as insurance and registration, while also being a communication tool between the driver and law enforcement during an interaction.

"This program provides explicit support for drivers who choose to participate," said Jennifer Casteix, UArizona Clinical Professor and ArizonaLEND faculty member. "Better understanding of communication differences should positively impact these interactions."

After his interim appointment at the University of Arizona in May 2023, Police Chief Chris Olson shared his desire to bring the Blue Envelope Program to the university. Creating partnerships with University of Arizona units that specialize in autism research and caring for the community have been key in laying the groundwork for this program at the University of Arizona.

According to Chief Olson, “The Blue Envelope program is an outstanding public safety initiative that seeks to improve communication between police officers and autistic drivers during traffic stops.”

Director Jeffrey Glover of the Arizona Department of Public Safety said, “The AZDPS is proud to support and be a part of the Blue Envelope Program. A program like this, seeking to enhance safety for both members of the public as well as all law enforcement officers in the State of Arizona, is absolutely invaluable.”

"We are implementing this program with an evidence-based approach to better support law enforcement and autistic drivers to improve safety outcomes," said Dr. Nell Maltman, UArizona Assistant Professor with the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences.

Training with officers and volunteer drivers to simulate a traffic stop with the blue envelopes will be happening next week at the University of Arizona’s Tucson campus.

The envelopes are expected to be available through ADOT MVD offices, various law enforcement locations as well as other locations across the state starting in May.

For additional information about this program, please visit azdot.gov/BlueEnvelope.