Senate approves Shevrin Jones bill for autism ‘blue envelope’ program, more police training

Legislation to create a statewide “blue envelope” program and mandate more training to improve how police communicate with people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) just cleared the Senate with uniform support and ample praise.

Senators voted 38-0 for the bill (SB 418) by Miami Gardens Democratic Sen. Shevrin Jones, who said it addresses a pressing community need.

“I have heard concerns from families about interactions between individuals with ASD and law enforcement. I know our offices are doing their best, and this bill provides additional tools to support them in those moments,” he said.

“SB 418 will strengthen officer preparedness, reduce misunderstandings and give families greater peace of mind as their loved ones live a more independent life.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are an estimated 5.4 million adults with ASD in the United States, which translates to roughly 2.2% of the overall population.

Autism is often described as an “invisible developmental disability,” Jones said, because for some, it may not immediately be apparent a person has ASD unless they volunteer the information.

However, some people with autism experience differences in social communication, sensory processing or how they react to unfamiliar or high-stress situations. In some cases, they may be slower to respond to orders, make evasive moves or resist, and those actions can be involuntary.

SB 418 would help Florida’s share of those individuals through the creation of a statewide “blue envelope” program similar to those in place or pending in more than a dozen other states, including Arkansas, Arizona, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Virginia.

Several Florida municipalities have also implemented the program, Jones said.

Under the program, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles would develop and provide a blue envelope that holds a driver’s license, registration, proof of insurance, emergency contact information and identifies the person as having autism, along with communication guidelines for officers.

People with autism would be able to request the envelope through the Department or a Tax Collector’s Office. The program would not be mandatory.

SB 418 would also require the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission to develop mandatory instruction for police officers on interacting with individuals with ASD. That training would be incorporated into basic recruit training and continuing education, covering topics such as de-escalation techniques, interviewing methods, recognizing autism-related behaviors and safely locating missing individuals with autism.

Altogether, the cost of the legislation is estimated to be $64,000 over four months, followed by general upkeep and updating costs, according to Senate staff.

On the Senate floor Thursday, Jones thanked Sen. Jonathan Martin for “starting this train” on autism-related legislation, including bills the Fort Myers Republican backed to create programs benefitting people with ASD. Jones said he spoke about SB 418 with Martin, who shared ideas for how to build on this year’s legislation in 2027.

He acknowledged Republican Sens. Gayle Harrell of Stuart and Don Gaetz of Pensacola, citing legislation they carried about ASD and calling them “partners” in a broader effort to improve the lives of Floridians with autism.

Jones also credited the Autism Society of Florida for helping him to craft SB 418 with law enforcement stakeholders.

Harrell, in turn, thanked Jones for his bill and spoke of an “unfortunate’ incident Palm Beach County, where a person with ASD got into an altercation with a police officer and was later prosecuted.

“This is really important that law enforcement understand what autism spectrum is and the different manifestations of it by individuals,” she said. “As we move forward, (it’s vital that) our law enforcement really be aware of the signs and symptoms that an individual with autism will present and those de-escalation techniques are absolutely key.”

Orlando Democratic Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, SB 418’s lone co-sponsor, called the bill a “great, important step forward” and acknowledged contributions advocates from Central Florida made to getting the bill across the proverbial finish line.

Doral Republican Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez brought up a 2024 law called the SAFE Act, which she sponsored in the Senate, that enables people to voluntarily indicate on their driving information that they have a disability.

“I’m happy to see that you’re taking it a step further with the training,” she said. “Thank you for your very good bill.”

The bill’s House twin (HB 365) by Tampa Republican Rep. Susan Valdés has been heard in only one of three Committees to which it was referred.