SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1043        FILED ON: 2/10/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2285

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Joanne M. Comerford

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act facilitating better interactions between police officers and persons with autism spectrum disorder.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

 

Joanne M. Comerford

Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester

 

Kay Khan

11th Middlesex

2/26/2021

Susan L. Moran

Plymouth and Barnstable

2/28/2021

Michael O. Moore

Second Worcester

3/9/2021


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1043        FILED ON: 2/10/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2285

By Ms. Comerford, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2285) of Joanne M. Comerford, Kay Khan, Susan L. Moran and Michael O. Moore for legislation to facilitate better interactions between police officers and persons with autism spectrum disorder.  Transportation.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

_______________

 

An Act facilitating better interactions between police officers and persons with autism spectrum disorder.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Chapter 6C of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 56 the following section:-

Section 56A. The registry of motor vehicles, in consultation with the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association and organizations that advocate for persons with autism spectrum disorder, shall design and make available blue envelopes that

(1) provide written information and guidance on the outside of the envelopes regarding ways to enhance effective communication between a police officer and a person with autism spectrum disorder; and

(2) are capable of holding a person's motor vehicle operator's license, registration and insurance identification card.

Upon request by a person with autism spectrum disorder or if such person is a minor, the person's parent or guardian, the registrar of motor vehicles shall provide a blue envelope designed pursuant to this section to such person, parent or guardian.

(3) The guidance on the outside of the blue envelopes shall include an instruction to attach the envelope to the driver's sunvisor on the side facing the driver for easy and safe access.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2022.