Assemblyman DiMaio to prepare legislative bill to expand the ‘Blue Envelope’ Program which helps police communicate with drivers with autism
NEW JERSEY – Assemblyman John DiMaio will be preparing a legislative bill that would help police communicate better with individuals with autism by expanding the Blue Envelope program.
The purpose of the Blue Envelope is to improve the interaction between a driver with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and a police officer on a traffic stop.
The primary goal of the Blue Envelope is to assist drivers with ASD with document organization and to help them understand what to do on a motor vehicle stop. Secondly, the Blue Envelope provides police officers with the means to quickly identify an operator of a motor vehicle who has ASD and helps guide police officers with the interaction.
“I want to thank Police Chief Bartman from High Bridge and Chief Barlow from Tewksbury Township for bringing this great suggestion to my attention,” DiMaio said.
The Blue Envelopes are available for pickup at each police department, sheriff’s department, prosecutor’s office, and the state police Barracks within Hunterdon County.
As a state, Connecticut is already using them, DiMaio said.
