Today (Thursday, July 24) was a powerful day in the Massachusetts State Senate. Senators voted unanimously to advance two of The Arc’s priority bills: codifying the blue envelope program and ridding our state laws of archaic and offensive language relative to people with disabilities.
The blue envelope bill facilitates understanding and communication between law enforcement and individuals with autism, allowing drivers or passengers with autism to voluntarily request a blue envelope that contains important information to assist in the event of a traffic stop. This makes everyone safer: drivers and passengers who have autism, police officers, and everyone on the road. With help from The Arc and AFAM, the State Police rolled out a blue envelope program several years ago. To date, thousands of envelopes have been distributed. This bill codifies that program into law, ensures that it is consistently applied across the state, and gives us an opportunity to ensure that the envelope also clearly covers passengers who have autism. Thanks to Senator Mike Moore for adding an amendment to ensure that law enforcement has training regarding the blue envelope.
The archaic language bill very simply replaces offensive and outdated language referencing the disability community with more appropriate, person-centered language. This sends a clear message in a critical moment: this language has no place in our laws or our communities. But this is about more than language. Disability rights are being threatened, and this is a clear and concrete way that our state is reaffirming its commitment to uplifting and valuing this strong community.
Thank you to all of the incredible advocates who have made their voices heard about these bills, including former staffer to Senator Jamie Eldrige Melissa Reilly. Thanks to our legislative leaders in the Senate who made this possible: sponsors Senator Jo Comerford, Senator Pat Jehlen, Committee Chairs Senator Robyn Kennedy, Senator Joan Lovely, Senator Brendan Crighton, Senate Ways & Means Chair Senator Michael Rodrigues, and Senate President Karen Spilka.
We look forward to continuing to work with our champions in the House to make these bills law this session. Stay tuned and stay engaged!
