Today, I spoke on the Senate floor in support of An Act facilitating better interactions between police officers and persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The bill passed the Senate with unanimous support, thanks to the wonderful work of advocates and the support of my colleagues.
Read on for the remarks I shared before we voted on the bill.
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I rise in strong support of An Act facilitating better interactions between police officers and persons with autism spectrum disorder.
Before I talk about this bill, I want to congratulate and thank the Senator from Newton and the Senator from Lunenberg for sponsoring two outstanding bills also before the Senate today. I am proud to support both of these vital proposals.
My heartfelt thanks to the Senate President, our Chair of Ways and Means, and the Senator from Lynn, all of whom have supported this legislation from the start.
Thank you as well to the Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts, The ARC of Massachusetts, Pathlight, The Black Autism Coalition, Autism Connections, the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, the State Police Association of Massachusetts Troopers, the Massachusetts Police Association, the Central Mass Police Chiefs Association, and the Municipal Police Institute — all of which have backed this beautiful idea.
We call this the Blue Envelope bill.
In 2020, my team and I were contacted by Lynne, a constituent from Leverett, who wrote: “As a mother with an adult son who is on the spectrum and desires to drive, my biggest fear is what would happen if he was pulled over by a police officer who could misinterpret his smile or facial expression or his inconsistent eye contact to be disrespectful.”
Lynne let us know about a law in Connecticut creating a voluntary Blue Envelope Program for drivers with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Here’s an example.
The Blue Envelopes can hold the driver’s license, registration, and insurance cards, and it has instructions on the outside for the officer or first responder on the driver’s diagnosis, triggers, emergency contact information — and how best and most effectively to communicate.
Lynne asked if we could work towards a similar law here in Massachusetts.
A short while later, I had the opportunity to visit the UMass Amherst MAICEI program, which stands for the Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Initiative. MAICEI programs provide students aged 18-21 with significant, typically autism or intellectual disabilities, the chance to attend college, supported by a Program Coordinator, Educational Coaches, and Peer Mentors. MAICEI is funded by this legislature and administered by the Department of Higher Education.
It was there that I met Max Callahan. Max was aware of the blue envelope bill and talked to me passionately about how traffic stops or emergency situations can be very challenging for drivers with Autism Spectrum Disorder — with flashing lights, sirens, radios, passing traffic, and police officers or other first responders with mostly little or no current training about how to recognize and communicate appropriately and effectively with people with ASD.
Over the following months, Max worked with MAICEI Program Coordinator Mark Sena, UMass Amherst Chief of Police Tyrone Parham, and more to build awareness about and support for this legislation. I’m tremendously honored that they’re all here with us in the Chamber to witness today’s vote.
The hopeful passage of this bill represents the power of our constituents — like Lynne and Max — to envision a better Commonwealth. A safer Commonwealth. A Commonwealth with equal opportunity for people of all abilities. To advocate for those ideals with great allies like Chief Parham and Mark Sena, and to see them across a finish line. To see their power in our democracy.
Before I close, I want to recognize the many, many neuro-diverse people who testified in support of this legislation, as well as their caregivers and family members who joined them in calling the legislature to act.
I want to particularly recognize Ilyse (ELISE) Levine-Kanji (CAN-JEE), a leader with Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts, and Sam Kanji who have been fixtures in the State House advocating for this legislation.
Thank you to our team’s Legislative Director, Brian Rosman, and Chief of Staff, Jared Freedman, who made this bill a priority as well as to Representatives Kay Khan and Mindy Domb who lead this work beautifully in the House.
I urge my colleagues to join me in voting yes — and by doing so, we affirm our dedication to a Commonwealth where neuro-diverse individuals can live their lives safely, independently, and with dignity.
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