This bill establishes a grant program, administered by the Attorney General through the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, to fund "blue envelope programs." These programs are designed to improve interactions between law enforcement and individuals with autism spectrum disorder or developmental, cognitive, sensory, or communication disabilities. Eligible entities, including law enforcement agencies partnered with relevant nonprofit organizations, can receive grants to develop and implement these programs. Key components of a blue envelope program include: training for law enforcement officers on crisis response and de-escalation tactics providing individuals with communication aids such as blue envelopes for storing essential documents like identification and diagnosis information offering other accessories like car decals, seatbelt covers, and lanyards to signal a disability and assist in communication. Participation in these programs is voluntary for individuals, and they do not involve a registration component or participant list. The Director will prioritize grants for programs demonstrating scalability, community support, and those that actively engage individuals with disabilities and incorporate person-centered practices. The bill authorizes $5,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 and mandates a public online directory of funded programs and regular reports to Congress on their effectiveness and best practices.
This bill establishes a grant program, administered by the Attorney General through the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, to fund "blue envelope programs." These programs are designed to improve interactions between law enforcement and individuals with autism spectrum disorder or developmental, cognitive, sensory, or communication disabilities. Eligible entities, including law enforcement agencies partnered with relevant nonprofit organizations, can receive grants to develop and implement these programs. Key components of a blue envelope program include: training for law enforcement officers on crisis response and de-escalation tactics providing individuals with communication aids such as blue envelopes for storing essential documents like identification and diagnosis information offering other accessories like car decals, seatbelt covers, and lanyards to signal a disability and assist in communication. Participation in these programs is voluntary for individuals, and they do not involve a registration component or participant list. The Director will prioritize grants for programs demonstrating scalability, community support, and those that actively engage individuals with disabilities and incorporate person-centered practices. The bill authorizes $5,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 and mandates a public online directory of funded programs and regular reports to Congress on their effectiveness and best practices.