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THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2025 Page 17 autism spectrum disorder during traffi c stops. The measure, dubbed the “Blue Envelope Bill” would create a 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 specifi c instructions for police offi cers 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 offi cer during a traffi c stop. “The Blue Envelope Bill makes our commonwealth a safer place for people who are neurodiverse,” said Senate 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 LevineKanji, an Executive Committee member of Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts. “Like many people with autism, my 27-year-old son Sam does not have any physical characteristics that indicate he has autism. 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 his autism. This bill could thereby dramatically decrease the possibility of a tragic misunderstanding.” “Massachusetts police officers conduct thousands of traffi c stops each year,” said Tyrone Parham, UMass Amherst Chief of Police. “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. Each driver reacts diff erently when they are pulled over by the police. As a number of communities across the commonwealth have already rolled out the current voluntary Blue Envelope Program, I’ve heard nothing but successes from both the police and motorists. The early rollout prior to the law being in eff ect shows the commitment and importance of this initiative, and the passage of this legislation is instrumental to continuing to bridge the communication gap for both motorists and police offi cers.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Sen. Lydia Edwards Yes TRAIN POLICE OFFICERS ON THE BLUE ENVELOPE PROGRAM (S 2565) Senate 39-0, approved an amendment that would require all police offi cers in Massachusetts to complete training every fi ve years on the Blue Envelope Program. “People on the autism spectrum can face unique challenges during stressful situations, such as traffic stops,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Mike Moore (D-Millbury). “The Blue Envelope program will help offi cers instantly understand if a driver might require a diff erent approach, and my amendment will ensure that all law enforcement offi cials in the commonwealth have the training they need to better understand these individuals and how to keep everyone safer on the road with training refreshers every fi ve years.” (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment.) Sen. Lydia Edwards Yes YELLOW ENVELOPE PROGRAM (S 2565) Senate 5-34, rejected an amendment that would create a “Yellow Envelope Program,” that would give drivers 62 and older, who have a chronic illness, the option to be given a special yellow envelope that holds a recent photograph, the driver’s name, emergency contact information, physicians’ names and contact information, medical conditions, recent surgeries, allergies, medications and any other information the Registrar decides is relevant information to emergency responders in the case of emergency. Amendment supporters say that this program would be in addition to the Blue Envelope Program and would be helpful in many situations. They note that 22 other states have this program. Sen. Bruce Tarr (D-Gloucester), the sponsor of the amendment, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on his amendment. Beacon Hill Roll Call also did not receive a response from any of the other four senators who voted for the amendment: Sens. Kelly Dooner (R-Taunton), Peter Durant (R-Spencer), Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton) and Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth). Amendment opponents say that the bill should not be attached as an amendment to the Blue Envelope Bill but rather should be considered on its own at a public hearing,’ Sen. Brendan Crighton (DLynn), the Senate chair of the Transportation Committee, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on his opposition to the amendment. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.) Sen. Lydia Edwards No ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL DOCUMENTARY “SHADOWS ON THE HILL” CREATES CROWDFUNDING PAGE — Aaron Singer, the producer and director of “Shadows on the Hill,” an upcoming documentary that he says asks why common-sense bills don’t pass the Massachusetts Legislature, announced the unveiling of his crowdfunding website to raise money for the production. “I’m making this movie because local media has failed to draw critical attention to a Statehouse that routinely ignores the public’s will,” Singer told Beacon Hill Roll Call. “Voters largely don’t understand how Beacon Hill lawmaking actually works. If they did, they’d stop lobbying their representatives and start showing up at Speaker Mariano’s offi ce [because] that’s where the monied interests go.” Singer continued, “I invite current and former staff ers, reporters, lobbyists and lawmakers who understand this broken system to share their story. If you’ve seen fi rsthand how power is hoarded and democracy is undermined, join me and others in calling it out.” The documentary’s website is www.shadowsdoc.com which includes links to the crowdfunding website. House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy) did not respond to repeated requests from Beacon Hill Roll Call asking for his reaction to the making of the documentary. DIVEST STATE RETIREMENT FUNDS FROM COMPANIES THAT SELL WEAPONS TO ISRAEL (H 2984) — The Public Service Committee held a hearing on legislation that would require the Massachusetts Pension Reserves Investment Management (PRIM) Board to divest direct investments with companies selling weapons to the State of Israel, unless the company announces within 30 days of the eff ective date of this bill, if it becomes law, that it will not renew or enter into contracts for weapon sales to the State of Israel. “While I support Israel’s right to exist and to defend itself, the war on Gaza has exceeded all legitimate bounds and has widely been condemned as a genocide,” said Rep. Mike Connolly (DCambridge), a co-sponsor of the bill. “A ceasefi re is long overdue, and yet the massacre of Palestinians continues with support from the United States government and weapons manufacturers. I am co-sponsoring this legislation to help do my part to ensure our state government is not complicit in Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine and crimes against humanity in Gaza.” Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven (DSomerville), the chief sponsor of the bill did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking her to explain why she fi led the bill. Two other co-sponsors, Reps. Natalie Higgins (D-Leominster) and Samantha Montano (D-Boston) did not respond to the same request. DIVEST STATE RETIREMENT FUNDS FROM FIREARMS COMPANIES (S 1869) — Another measure heard by the Public Service Committee would require the Massachusetts Pension Reserves Investment Management (PRIM) Board to divest direct investments with companies that derive more than 15 percent of revenues from the sale or manufacture of ammunition, fi rearms or fi rearm accessories used for civilian purposes. “It is crucial that we take a stand against gun violence, which is now the leading cause of death for children ages one to 19,” said sponsor State Treasurer Deb Goldberg. “This bill takes a fi scally responsible approach in divesting from an industry that has repeatedly refused to work toward protecting our communities.” PROHIBIT ONLINE TOBACCO SALES (H 2482) The Public Health Committee held a hearing on a measure that would prohibit the online sale of any tobacco products by requiring any sale of tobacco to be done in-person with both the buyer and seller physically present at the time and location of the purchase. The buyer’s age would have to be verified at the time of purchase through a valid government-issued photo ID. “I fi led [the bill] to close a dangerous loophole that allows minors to access nicotine products online without meaningful age verifi cation,” said sponsor Rep. David Linsky (D-Natick). “By requiring all tobacco sales to occur in person, this bill strengthens safeguards and reaffirms Massachusetts’ commitment to protecting young people from addiction.” BAN NICOTINE AND TOBACCO (S 1568) — Another proposal before the Public Health Committee would eventually end the sale of all nicotine and tobacco products in the Bay State. The proposal will not take away the right to purchase nicotine and tobacco products from anyone who is already legally able to do so. Instead, the measure would prohibit people under 21 who are not currently old enough to legally purchase nicotine and tobacco products, to ever be lawfully able to purchase these products in Massachusetts. “Hundreds of thousands of Americans die from smokingattributable causes each year, and smoking continues to be the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States,” said sponsor Sen. Jason Lewis (D-Winchester). “Massachusetts prides itself on being a national and even world leader in public health, which is why I was proud to fi le this bill to establish a statewide Nicotine-Free Generation policy, modeled after local policies already enacted in many Massachusetts cities and towns, including every community that I represent. This bill will not take away the right to purchase nicotine and tobacco products from anyone who is already legally able to do so. Rather, this legislation will protect future generations, who are being targeted by Big Tobacco, from the harms of smoking and create a healthier world for the next generation.” FREE PUBLIC COLLEGE TUITION (H 1428) — Legislation heard by the Higher Education Committee would allow children 18 or older who are being raised by their grandparents or other relatives, except parents, to have their tuition and fees waived if attending a state college. “The bill is to allow children who are raised by their grandparents or other relative to be able to take advantage of the same benefi t of free tuition and fees as those in custody of the Department of Families and BHRC | SEE Page 19

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