Representative Steven S. Howitt supports blue envelope bill to improve police interactions with autistic individuals

Boston – State Representative Steven S. Howitt (R-Seekonk) is supporting legislation to improve police interactions with individuals who are on the autism spectrum in an attempt to avoid misunderstandings and reduce stress and anxiety for the driver during a motor vehicle stop.

House Bill 5438, An Act facilitating better interactions between police officers and persons with autism spectrum disorder, was engrossed by the House of Representatives on a vote of 156-0 on May 20. The bill is an amended version of legislation that was previously approved by the Senate on a 39-0 vote on July 24, 2025 as Senate Bill 2565.

More commonly referred to as the “blue envelope” bill, House Bill 5438 directs the Department of State Police, the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, and Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts to design blue envelopes that will provide written information and guidance on ways to enhance communication between police officers and persons with autism. Representative Howitt said this information will be printed on the outside of the envelope, while the person’s driver’s license, motor vehicle registration, and insurance card can be inserted in the envelope.

Representative Howitt noted that the Senate version of the bill includes language requiring the Municipal Police Training Committee to incorporate instruction on the blue envelope program into the specialized training curriculum available to all law enforcement officers. The Senate bill also requires that this information be reviewed not less than every five years to determine if modifications are needed. This language is not included in the House bill.

According to Representative Howitt, Senate Bill 2565 requires the Registrar of Motor Vehicles to make the blue envelopes available to any person with autism or their guardian upon request, beginning on July 1. House Bill 5438 moves the effective date to September 1.

The House and Senate will now work to reconcile the differences between House Bill 5438 and Senate Bill 2565.