Representatives Torres and Rutherford Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Support Blue Envelope Programs Nationwide
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) and Congressman John Rutherford (FL-05) introduced the Supporting Blue Envelope Programs Act, bipartisan legislation to provide federal funding to support, expand, and create Blue Envelope Programs across the country. Blue Envelope programs help improve communications and interactions between law enforcement and public safety personnel and individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD), or other features that may affect communication with first responders.
Blue Envelope Programs provide individuals with a clearly identifiable envelope that can hold their driver’s license, vehicle registration, emergency contacts, and other helpful information, helping first responders understand a driver’s needs during traffic stops and other encounters. Programs can also provide individuals with other Blue Envelope-branded items (i.e. lanyards, pins, and seatbelt covers) to help facilitate improved interactions.
In California’s 35th Congressional District, the Inland Regional Center, Autism Society Inland Empire, and San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department partnered to launch the San Bernardino County Blue Envelope Program, which has been adopted by numerous police departments in the region. Similar programs exist in 29 States nationwide: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, and Virginia.
“The Inland Empire’s Blue Envelope Programs have been a success, and this bipartisan bill would support and expand similar programs across the country. For individuals with Autism, developmental disabilities, or other communication challenges, encounters with law enforcement and other first responders can be confusing or overwhelming, and Blue Envelope Programs helps foster positive and safer interactions,” said Rep. Norma Torres. “I’m proud to partner with Congressman Rutherford on this legislation to help provide law enforcement and community members the tools, resources, and training needed to launch and run Blue Envelope Programs across the country.”
“As a former sheriff and lifelong law enforcement officer, I believe nothing is more important than the safety and security of all members of our community,” said Rutherford. “That includes individuals with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD), and others who may face communication challenges when interacting with law enforcement officers and first responders. To keep members of the autistic community safe, it is important that officers have the tools they need to reduce misunderstandings that can arise from differences in communication. That is why I am proud to introduce bipartisan legislation with Representative Torres to support blue envelope programs nationwide to help improve communication and safety for all.”
“This program demonstrates what is possible when law enforcement, families, and community partners come together with a shared purpose. The Blue Envelope initiative gives our deputies practical tools to better support individuals with developmental disabilities and create safer, more effective interactions. I commend Congresswoman Torres and Congressman Rutherford — himself a former sheriff — for championing federal support so more communities across the nation can benefit from this model.” - San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus
“For too long, individuals with I/DD, autism, and those who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing have faced unnecessary risks during law enforcement encounters. The Blue Envelope Program equips officers with practical tools and provides drivers with reassurance—protecting individual rights without compromising officer safety. This legislation strengthens trust, builds collaboration, and creates safer interactions for the communities we all serve.” - Dr. CJ Cook, Program Administrator, Inland Regional Center
"The Supporting Blue Envelope Programs Act recognizes what families like ours have known for years — that improving communication can save lives. By investing in person-centered, trauma-informed training for law enforcement and providing practical tools to individuals with disabilities affected by communication challenges — including blue envelopes, decals, and other communication supports — this legislation helps ensure safer, more respectful interactions for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. We are proud to support this bipartisan effort that strengthens community partnerships and expands a program proven to make a meaningful difference." - Beth Burt, Executive Director, Autism Society Inland Empire
“The Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA) is grateful to Representatives Torres and Rutherford for championing this legislation. Blue Envelope Programs provide officers and families with practical tools that build trust, improve communication, and support safer outcomes for individuals with autism and other developmental or communication differences. We stand ready to support efforts to advance this critical legislation.” - Megan Noland, Executive Director, MCSA
“The Blue Envelope Program has been a game changer for our department. It has given us a tangible way to connect with individuals who have I/DD or who may be DHH. This program not only improves communication during critical encounters but also strengthens our outreach to underserved members of the community, ensuring they know we are here to protect and serve them with respect and understanding.” - Sgt. Nathan Weiske of the Fontana Police Department
“When law enforcement officers encounter individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) during traffic stops or other encounters, they may not always realize they are dealing with a person with such disabilities. In these cases, these individuals would be able to physically present a blue envelope to an officer, making them aware and better positioned to handle the situation in a safe and appropriate manner since the individual may have differing needs than typically expected.” - Patrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police
"We greatly appreciate Representatives Torres and Rutherford for their leadership in introducing the Blue Envelope Program legislation, which will improve communications between law enforcement and people with communication barriers, including people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism. Finding new ways to improve interactions with law enforcement or safety personnel is so important to avoid confusion or unintended consequences due to communication barriers." - Ted Thompson, Senior Vice President of Government Relations, Easterseals
"As someone living with Parkinson’s and working with a community of people with brain disorders, I know how easily communication and movement symptoms can be misread in high-stress encounters with law enforcement. The Blue Envelope Programs Act is a practical, person-centered way to make those encounters safer, more respectful, and less traumatic for everyone. By investing in training, tools, and trauma-informed practices, this bill recognizes that people with autism, developmental and cognitive disabilities, and neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson’s deserve not just protection, but dignity and understanding in every interaction.” - Larry Gifford, President of PD Avengers
“I strongly support this investment in Blue Envelope programs because it enhances communication, strengthens trust, and improves safety for individuals with autism and other developmental or communication challenges. This program equips officers with critical, potentially life-saving information while giving families greater peace of mind and confidence in law enforcement. I commend Congresswoman Norma Torres and Congressman John Rutherford for their leadership and commitment to advancing this important issue at the federal level.” - Chino PD Chief Kevin Mensen.
“Too many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have been harmed or killed in encounters with law enforcement because their disability was mistaken for defiance or danger. A blue envelope may change the trajectory of an interaction in seconds, giving officers context and understanding. The Arc has been deeply involved in criminal justice work for over a decade and we're grateful for this much-needed bipartisan step that can save lives.” - Katy Neas, CEO of The Arc of the United States
“Effective communication between Autistic individuals and first responders is essential to safety and well-being. By ensuring Autism experts help design and deliver this training, including the use of blue envelopes, this legislation strengthens community trust and promotes safer, more inclusive emergency responses nationwide.” - Joseph Joyce, CEO and President of the Autism Society of America
“I hear from autistic drivers all the time about the anxiety they carry into traffic stops -- the fear that they won’t be understood,” said Keith Wargo, President & CEO of Autism Speaks. “Blue Envelope programs give drivers a simple yet effective way to communicate their needs, and they give officers the tools to respond with confidence and respect. We are grateful to Congresswoman Torres and Congressman Rutherford for championing this bipartisan effort. By prioritizing community-centered training and implementation of Blue Envelope initiatives nationwide, this bill expands access to a model that empowers autistic people to navigate traffic encounters on their own terms and ensure that a routine traffic stop stays just that routine.”
“I fully support the Blue Envelope Program. I recently met a young man who introduced himself at a community event. He mentioned he was on the spectrum and told me all about the Blue Envelope he was holding. He was advocating for the program locally, and I could tell he felt it would help him navigate contacts with law enforcement successfully; it was essential to him. I think the Blue Envelope will help foster safe interactions with law enforcement in the future, especially with increased awareness among law enforcement officers nationwide. This bill will help make that a reality.” Chief Michael Ellis - Pomona PD, CA
“As policing professionals, our job is to engage with every member of our community with understanding, safety, and respect. This legislation provides practical tools to enhance communication with individuals on the IDD spectrum and strengthens the trust that is essential to effective policing." David B. Rausch, President, International Association of Chiefs of Police
Blue envelope-style programs foster safer and more compassionate interactions between law enforcement and community members. When officers are educated and empowered to respond to Blue Envelope prompts, they can adjust their approach to meet the individual's needs, ultimately building trust, empathy, and collaboration with community members." - Khrystle Lotfizadeh, Clinical Director of IDEA, Easterseals Southern California Autism Services
“Introduction of the Blue Envelope Programs Act is a critical step toward safer, more informed interactions between first responders and people living with Parkinson’s disease, as well as those living with other cognitive disorders that make communication difficult,” said Leslie A. Chambers, President & CEO of the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA). “The Blue Envelope program will enable APDA to broaden its first responder education initiatives, helping to reduce misunderstandings, accelerate response times, and enhance the overall quality of emergency care. Importantly, it also promotes dignity and ensures that every interaction is grounded in awareness and compassion.”
“Giving officers the tools and training needed to safely interact with individuals with Autism and other disabilities is essential to building the trust that is core to effective community policing,” said Brian R. Marvel, President of the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC). “We’re grateful to Representatives Torres and Rutherford for championing this legislation which will provide the resources necessary for more states and local agencies to adopt these proven Blue Envelope Programs.”
“The San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez thanks Representatives Norma Torres and John Rutherford for advancing bipartisan legislation supporting the Blue Envelope Program. The San Diego Sheriff's Office was at the forefront of establishing program standards and framework through strong community collaboration, and we’re proud to see this model embraced nationally. This legislation strengthens a tool valued by both our community and our deputies, helping ensure safer, clearer, and more understanding interactions for individuals with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities.”
“The City of Ontario is a proud participant of a Blue Envelope Program, an initiative to enhance communication between law enforcement and community members. I am pleased to see many of the provisions in the bill mirror the proven model that has worked so well in Ontario and in San Bernardino County, including the focus on scalability, community partnerships, law enforcement training, and privacy protections.” Ontario Mayor Paul S. Leon
The Supporting Blue Envelope Programs Act will:
- Authorize grants for law enforcement agencies to create, expand, and improve Blue Envelope Programs, in partnership with nonprofits that provide services and resources for individuals with ASD, I/DD, or other features that may cause communication barriers;
- Provide training and resources for law enforcement, in addition to voluntary training for members of the public;.
- Protect the privacy of participants by not allowing a registration component;
- Prioritize programs that are built to last, involve multiple law enforcement agencies, and involve experienced community partners with direct links to participants and their families.
The Supporting Blue Envelope Programs Act is endorsed by: Major County Sheriffs Association, Fraternal Order of Police, National Association of Police Organizations, International Association of Chiefs of Police, San Bernardino County Sheriffs’ Department, San Diego County Sheriffs’ Office, Pomona Police Dept., Chino Police Dept., Fontana Police Dept., Ontario Police Dept., Autism Society, Autism Speaks, Autism Society Inland Empire, Inland Regional Center, Easterseals, Easterseals Southern California, The Arc of the United States, National Alliance on Mental Illness, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, PD Avengers — Global Alliance to End Parkinson’s, American Psychological Association Services, National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors (NACBHDD).