Proposed special autism RI driver's licenses, car decals spark backlash. Here's why.

A proposal to create special driver's licenses and car decals bearing the word "autism" is generating backlash.

Advocates described the legislation introduced by two Westerly Democrats — at the request of an autistic teenager — as well-intentioned but misguided.

The bill, which will probably be revised, aims to ensure that an autistic driver is not perceived as a threat during a police stop. But opponents say that it could lead to harassment and discrimination.

"It is literally labeling us and putting us into a box, rather than uplifting and supporting us," said Camille Shea.

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What the bills do?

House Bill 5503, introduced by Rep. Samuel Azzinaro, and Senate Bill 0433, introduced by Sen. Victoria Gu, address the fact that people who are on the autism spectrum may struggle to communicate and may act in atypical ways if pulled over.

As written, the bills would direct the Division of Motor Vehicles to work with the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association and "at least one organization that advocates for persons with autism spectrum disorder" to design the following:

• A driver's license that is clearly marked with the word "autism."

• Decals with the word "autism," which are "to be affixed to the vehicle in a conspicuous place"

• Blue envelopes printed with guidance about "ways to enhance effective communication between a police officer and a person with autism spectrum disorder."

Autistic drivers wouldn’t be required to get the special licenses and decals.

At Tuesday's House committee hearing, Azzinaro said that the blue envelopes were already being used in Connecticut. He said that a senior at Westerly High School had suggested doing the same thing in Rhode Island.

Later, Toby Silva of Westerly testified that he had come up with the idea after researching policies in other states.

Silva, who is autistic and used an electronic device to play the remarks that he had written, said that stimuli like flashing police lights could be extremely stressful for autistic drivers.

"I want to make a change in the community," he said.

Concerns about harassment and discrimination

People who testified against the bill on Tuesday expressed concerns that drivers with a special driver's license or car decal could face harassment, bullying or discrimination.

"Licenses are shown for many purposes, and this designation would lead to stereotyping and breaches of the individual's confidentiality," wrote Mireille Sayaf, executive director of the Ocean State Center for Independent Living.

She suggested that a better option would be a placard with information about communicating with people with autism "that could be kept easily visible in the driver's windshield visor."

Others argued that people with autism shouldn't have to reveal their diagnosis in order to be safe during a traffic stop, and that police should instead be trained to recognize developmental disabilities.

Adria Marchetti, a self-described "Black autistic person and parent of autistic children," suggested that the creation of a voluntary registry would "only be used as an excuse for police brutality when Black and brown people don't register."

"If this bill takes effect, could lack of disclosure during an incident be used against the autistic person, aka 'you should have opted in?'" wrote Heather Bryant of North Providence.

Hannah Stern of the American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island said the group understood the intention behind the legislation, but took issue with the fact that it "puts the burden on an individual with a disability."

"We think it should be the goal that police approach every interaction with the same amount of compassion and dignity," she added.

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Bill may be modified

At Wednesday's hearing, Azzinaro indicated that he was aware of the concerns and would be open to rethinking the specifics of the bill. He said that he had recently spoken with the DMV, which had proposed making a placard instead.

The placard would be voluntary, Azzinaro said. Like with a handicap placard, people would have to apply to get one.

"To me, that is a better solution than even the blue envelope," he said.

Rep. Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung, R-Cranston, suggested holding public forums to get a better feel for what people in the community want. She said that because autism can take so many different forms, some families might like the idea of a special driver's license, while others might feel like they are "being targeted."

"It is such a spectrum," she said.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Bill for RI driver's licenses with 'autism' label gets pushback