| 1 | | - | MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE 2025 Regular Session To: Highways and Transportation By: Senator(s) Boyd, McCaughn, Suber, Parker, Whaley, McLendon, Berry, Williams, Wiggins Senate Bill 2260 (As Sent to Governor) AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE BLUE ENVELOPE PROGRAM TO ENHANCE EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND DRIVERS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER; TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY SHALL ADMINISTER THE PROGRAM AND SHALL PROVIDE FOR, ASSIST IN AND AUTHORIZE THE PRINTING AND ASSEMBLING OF A PROGRAM PACKAGE; TO IDENTIFY WHO MAY REQUEST A PROGRAM PACKAGE AND TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON ITS WEBSITE REGARDING HOW TO OBTAIN A PROGRAM PACKAGE; TO PROVIDE HOW A DRIVER MAY PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: SECTION 1. (1) As used in this section, "program" means the Blue Envelope Program established by subsection (2), and "department" means the Department of Public Safety. (2) The Blue Envelope Program is established for the purpose of enhancing effective communication between law enforcement and drivers with autism spectrum disorder. (3) The department shall administer the program. The department shall provide for, assist in and authorize the printing and assembling of a program package containing: (a) A blue envelope; (b) A window cling decal that denotes a driver's participation in the program; (c) Informational materials regarding effective interaction and communication techniques between law enforcement and drivers with autism spectrum disorder; and (d) A contact information card; (4) Upon the request of an individual who holds a driver's license or permit and has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, or upon the request of the parent or guardian of a minor who holds a driver's license or permit and has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, the department shall provide a program package described in subsection (3) of this section. The department shall provide information on its website regarding how to obtain a program package. (5) A driver may participate in the program by doing the following: (a) Affixing the window cling decal on the left lower corner of the rear window of a motor vehicle; (b) Filling in the contact information card with the contact information for an individual whom law enforcement can contact if the driver becomes nonverbal; (c) Placing the driver's registration, insurance information, driver's license or permit and contact information card in the blue envelope; and (d) Storing the blue envelope in a readily retrievable place in a motor vehicle, such as a glove compartment or visor. SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025. |
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| 1 | + | MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE 2025 Regular Session To: Highways and Transportation By: Senator(s) Boyd, McCaughn, Suber, Parker, Whaley, McLendon, Berry, Williams, Wiggins Senate Bill 2260 (As Passed the Senate) AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE BLUE ENVELOPE PROGRAM TO ENHANCE EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND DRIVERS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER; TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY SHALL ADMINISTER THE PROGRAM AND SHALL PROVIDE FOR, ASSIST IN AND AUTHORIZE THE PRINTING AND ASSEMBLING OF A PROGRAM PACKAGE; TO IDENTIFY WHO MAY REQUEST A PROGRAM PACKAGE AND TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON ITS WEBSITE REGARDING HOW TO OBTAIN A PROGRAM PACKAGE; TO PROVIDE HOW A DRIVER MAY PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: SECTION 1. (1) As used in this section, "program" means the Blue Envelope Program established by subsection (2), and "department" means the Department of Public Safety. (2) The Blue Envelope Program is established for the purpose of enhancing effective communication between law enforcement and drivers with autism spectrum disorder. (3) The department shall administer the program. The department shall provide for, assist in and authorize the printing and assembling of a program package containing: (a) A blue envelope; (b) A window cling decal that denotes a driver's participation in the program; (c) Informational materials regarding effective interaction and communication techniques between law enforcement and drivers with autism spectrum disorder; and (d) A contact information card; (4) Upon the request of an individual who holds a driver's license or permit and has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, or upon the request of the parent or guardian of a minor who holds a driver's license or permit and has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, the department shall provide a program package described in subsection (3) of this section. The department shall provide information on its website regarding how to obtain a program package. (5) A driver may participate in the program by doing the following: (a) Affixing the window cling decal on the left lower corner of the rear window of a motor vehicle; (b) Filling in the contact information card with the contact information for an individual whom law enforcement can contact if the driver becomes nonverbal; (c) Placing the driver's registration, insurance information, driver's license or permit and contact information card in the blue envelope; and (d) Storing the blue envelope in a readily retrievable place in a motor vehicle, such as a glove compartment or visor. SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025. |
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| 14 | 14 | | |
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| 15 | 15 | | AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE BLUE ENVELOPE PROGRAM TO ENHANCE EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND DRIVERS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER; TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY SHALL ADMINISTER THE PROGRAM AND SHALL PROVIDE FOR, ASSIST IN AND AUTHORIZE THE PRINTING AND ASSEMBLING OF A PROGRAM PACKAGE; TO IDENTIFY WHO MAY REQUEST A PROGRAM PACKAGE AND TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON ITS WEBSITE REGARDING HOW TO OBTAIN A PROGRAM PACKAGE; TO PROVIDE HOW A DRIVER MAY PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. |
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| 16 | 16 | | |
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| 17 | 17 | | BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: |
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| 18 | 18 | | |
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| 19 | 19 | | SECTION 1. (1) As used in this section, "program" means the Blue Envelope Program established by subsection (2), and "department" means the Department of Public Safety. |
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| 20 | 20 | | |
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| 21 | 21 | | (2) The Blue Envelope Program is established for the purpose of enhancing effective communication between law enforcement and drivers with autism spectrum disorder. |
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| 22 | 22 | | |
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| 23 | 23 | | (3) The department shall administer the program. The department shall provide for, assist in and authorize the printing and assembling of a program package containing: |
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| 24 | 24 | | |
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| 25 | 25 | | (a) A blue envelope; |
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| 26 | 26 | | |
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| 27 | 27 | | (b) A window cling decal that denotes a driver's participation in the program; |
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| 28 | 28 | | |
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| 29 | 29 | | (c) Informational materials regarding effective interaction and communication techniques between law enforcement and drivers with autism spectrum disorder; and |
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| 30 | 30 | | |
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| 31 | 31 | | (d) A contact information card; |
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| 32 | 32 | | |
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| 33 | 33 | | (4) Upon the request of an individual who holds a driver's license or permit and has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, or upon the request of the parent or guardian of a minor who holds a driver's license or permit and has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, the department shall provide a program package described in subsection (3) of this section. The department shall provide information on its website regarding how to obtain a program package. |
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| 34 | 34 | | |
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| 35 | 35 | | (5) A driver may participate in the program by doing the following: |
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| 36 | 36 | | |
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| 37 | 37 | | (a) Affixing the window cling decal on the left lower corner of the rear window of a motor vehicle; |
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| 38 | 38 | | |
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| 39 | 39 | | (b) Filling in the contact information card with the contact information for an individual whom law enforcement can contact if the driver becomes nonverbal; |
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| 40 | 40 | | |
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| 41 | 41 | | (c) Placing the driver's registration, insurance information, driver's license or permit and contact information card in the blue envelope; and |
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| 42 | 42 | | |
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| 43 | 43 | | (d) Storing the blue envelope in a readily retrievable place in a motor vehicle, such as a glove compartment or visor. |
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| 44 | 44 | | |
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| 45 | 45 | | SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025. |
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