No special autism drivers' license, but RI House passes 'blue envelope' program. What's next.
The House of Representatives has backed away from a controversial proposal to create special drivers' licenses and car decals for autistic people, and instead is supporting a plan to institute a "blue envelope" program similar to those in other states.
Lawmakers voted 60-4 on Tuesday to pass an amended version of House Bill 5503, sponsored by Rep. Samuel Azzinaro, D-Westerly.
The amended legislation directs the Division of Motor Vehicles to develop rules and regulations for a "blue envelope program," like the one currently in place in Connecticut. As the Connecticut DMV's website explains, autistic drivers put their license, registration and insurance in a blue envelope that they can hand to police officers if they're pulled over.
The blue envelopes available in Connecticut state: "I have been medically diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. My medical condition impairs my ability to communicate with others. As a result I may have difficulty understanding your directions, and I may not be able to respond to your questions. I may also become physically agitated if you touch me or move too close to me. Please do not interpret my behavior as refusal to cooperate. I am not intentionally defying your instructions."
What would this look like in Rhode Island?
The House bill does not get into specifics about what Rhode Island's version of the blue envelopes should say. It directs the DMV to work with the Rhode Island Police Chiefs' Association and the Governor's Commission on Disabilities, and "consider best practices from implementation of similar programs in other jurisdictions."
It's not clear if that will happen in the coming year. The Senate version of the bill, introduced by Sen. Victoria Gu, D-Westerly, was held for further study in April and has not been scheduled for a vote.
As was the case in the original legislation, the blue envelope program would work on a voluntary, "opt-in" basis. People with autism could choose not to use the blue envelopes, and would not be required to disclose their diagnosis to the DMV.
Original bill had 'autism' drivers' licenses and car decals
Originally, Azzinaro and Gu introduced twin bills that sought to create special drivers' licenses and car decals marked with the word "autism." The idea for the legislation came from an autistic high school student in Westerly. But a number of other autistic people and advocates opposed the bill, saying that it could lead to harassment, bullying and discrimination.
Rep. David Morales, D-Providence, mentioned the "strong backlash," when the bill came up for a vote on Monday, and said that the autistic community had "felt they were left out of the process." He said that he planned to vote in favor of the amended version, but emphasized that there needed to be "intentional engagement with community members who have autism" during the regulatory process.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI DMV would have blue envelopes for autistic drivers if new program passes
