Page 4 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, JAnuARy 12, 2024 Sen. DiDomenico and colleagues pass “Blue Envelope” bill supporting people with autism L Legislation would help facilitate better interactions between people with autism and law enforcement offi cers ast week, Senator Sal DiDomenico joined all Massachusetts Senators in unanimously passing An Act facilitating better interactions between police offi - cers and persons with autism spectrum disorder – also known as the “Blue Envelope” bill – to improve communication during traffic stops involving a person with autism spectrum disorder. Similar legislation has been adopted in other states and has been shown to reduce stress, facilitate better communication and improve safety. The bill would create a voluntary program that would make available blue envelopes that people with autism could carry with them while driving and hand over to a police offi cer in the event that they are pulled over. A driver could place their license, registration and insurance cards inside the envelope, and the outside of the envelope would note that the driver has autism spectrum disorder and provide guidance on best pracRON’S OIL Call For PRICE MELROSE, MA 02176 NEW CUSTOMER’S WELCOME ACCEPTING VISA, MASTERCARD & DISCOVER (781) 397-1930 OR (781) 662-8884 100 GALLON MINIMUM tices on how to interact with the individual. The envelope’s guidance – which would be created by a coalition of advocates, Chiefs of Police and the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) – would help law enforcement offi cers to better understand the actions of individuals with autism, who are more likely to have increased sensitivities and communication challenges in stressful situations. “This legislation will improve communication and interactions between law enforcement offi - cers and our neighbors with autism which will improve public safety for everyone,” said Senator DiDomenico, who is Assistant Majority Leader of the Massachusetts Senate. “I am proud to support this commonsense measure that has garnered support from a wide range of groups, including advocates and our law enforcement community, and will continue to make our state safer for Celebrating Our 52nd Year Dan - 1972 We Sell Cigars & Accessories! ALL MAJOR BRANDS Singles * Tins * Bundles * Boxes * Travel Humidors * Desk Top Humidors * Many Types of Lighters * Ash Trays * Juuls * Vapes * Glass Pipes * Rewards Program * CBD Infused Products * GIFTS UNDER $30 - GIFT CERTIFICATES SMOKER’S DELIGHT! 15 HANDMADE CIGARS! Four-Year-Old Tobacco * 100% Long Filler * Cellophane $49.95 WINTER STORE HOURS: OPEN DAILY 7 DAYS A WEEK, 9AM - 6PM R.Y.O. TOBACCO & TUBES ON SALE! WE MAKE HOUSE KEYS! Green Label Cigar Sale! Buy 2 Cigars, Get One FREE! A.B.C. CIGAR 170 REVERE ST., REVERE (781) 289-4959 Chris 2024 Senator Sal DiDomenico Asst. Majority Leader of the Mass. Senate our residents. Thank you, Senate President Spilka and Senator Comerford for getting this legislation the attention and urgency it deserves.” “In Massachusetts, we stand firmly in our belief that every person is entitled to equal treatment in their lives, regardless of their background or life experience. For our neuro-diverse friends and neighbors with Autism Spectrum Disorder, that means empowering each other to reach our full potential,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “Today’s action in the Senate would make a common-sense, meaningful, and positive change to how people with Autism Spectrum Disorder interact with members of our law enforcement community, bringing us closer to the ideals we strive for. I am grateful to Senator Comerford for bringing this bill to the fl oor, as well as Chair Rodrigues and Chair Crighton for their support in the committee process.” Many people with autism display no physical markers to alert others to their disability. Without adequate training, it is possible that law enforcement could misread the actions of an individual with autism. Every year, numerous people with autism spectrum disorder suff er psychological trauma and physical injury as a result of such misunderstandings. The bill has wide support from Autism Spectrum Disorder advocates and law enforcement organizations around the state. “The Arc of Massachusetts and Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts (AFAM) are grateful to Senator Comerford, Senate President Spilka and Chairman Rodrigues for passing the Blue Envelope bill, a priority bill for our advocacy organizations,” said The Arc of Massachusetts’ Director of Government Aff airs, Maura Sullivan. “This bill will ease interactions between police and autistic drivers. We know these situations can escalate and become traumatic or even dangerous. The Arc and AFAM applaud the Senate for taking action to be inclusive of the needs of the drivers with autism in Massachusetts.” “The Blue Envelope Bill would be a game changer for our family and for so many Massachusetts residents. Like many people with autism, my 25-year-old son Sam does not have any physical characteristics that indicate he has autism,” said AFAM Executive Committee member Ilyse Levine-Kanji. “In a stressful situation, where split second decisions must be made, I’m relieved that a police offi cer 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. Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts is extremely grateful for Senator Comerford’s leadership in introducing and championing this common-sense initiative, and to the Senate for moving so quickly to pass the bill.” During the bill’s hearing before the Transportation Committee, the Massachusetts State Police Association and a representative of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association testifi ed in favor of the bill. “Massachusetts police offi cers conduct thousands of traffi c stops each year. While most of these interactions are relatively ‘routine,’ offi cers do not know who they are interacting with before the traffi c stop, so they proceed with caution,” said UMass Amherst Assistant Vice Chancellor/ Chief of Police Tyrone Parham. “There are many potential communication confl icts with police offi cers during traffi c stops and perspectives off ered by those on the autism spectrum. The introduction of the blue envelope under stressful interactions will provide immediate information and context to the offi cer as they begin to communicate. Traffi c stops are some of the most dangerous citizen interactions by police and this additional information gleaned by the Blue Envelope will be extremely helpful.” This week the Massachusetts House of Representatives read the bill and referred it to its committee on Ways and Means.
5 Publizr Home