SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2542
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
_______________
SENATE, January 2, 2024.
The committee on Senate Ways and Means to whom was referred the Senate Bill
facilitating better interactions between police officers and persons with autism spectrum disorder
(Senate, No. 2204), - reports, recommending that the same ought to pass with an amendment
substituting a new draft with the same title (Senate, No. 2542).
For the committee,
Michael J. Rodrigues 1 of 2
FILED ON: 1/2/2024
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2542
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
_______________
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:
1 SECTION 1. Chapter 6C of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after
2section 56 the following section:-
3 Section 56A. (a) The registrar of motor vehicles, in consultation with the Massachusetts
4Chiefs of Police Association Incorporated and Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts or any
5other organization that advocates for persons with autism spectrum disorder, shall design blue
6envelopes that:
7 (i) provide written information and guidance on the outside of the envelope regarding
8ways to enhance effective communication between a police officer and a person with autism
9spectrum disorder;
10 (ii) include instructions for ease of access to the envelope, including, but not limited
11to, attaching the envelope to the sun visor on the driver’s side of the vehicle; and 2 of 2
12 (iii) can hold a person's motor vehicle operator's license, registration and insurance
13identification card.
14 The registrar shall make available, upon request, said blue envelopes to a person with
15autism spectrum disorder or, if such person is a minor, the person's parent or guardian.
16 SECTION 2. This act shall take effect as of July 1, 2024.