Blue Envelope bill could make traffic stop safer for police, drivers

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEXSTAR) — A bill in the New York State Legislature would expand a voluntary program statewide to improve safety during traffic stops for drivers and passengers who have mental health disorders or other conditions or are neurodivergent. Under the Blue Envelope Program, a specially marked envelope holds the documents needed in a traffic stop, discreetly telling law enforcement that the person deals with communication differences or behavioral disorders.

Neurodivergent applies to those with autism, Tourette syndrome, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder.

S8059/A8719, sponsored by State Senator Jamaal Bailey and Assemblymember Angelo Santabarbara—would require the state to create a uniform Blue Envelope Program, ensuring every driver and officer in New York have the same tools and training. The commissioner of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles would be responsible for setting it all up.

To make the blue envelopes easily accessible, the materials would be available by mail and at every state and county DMV office. The commissioner would not be able to keep records on anyone requesting or receiving an envelope, nor could the state require any medical information to participate.

“Driving is about independence, but for individuals with autism and other conditions, routine traffic stops can become stressful or even dangerous if communication breaks down,” Santabarbara said in a press release on Monday.

People living with something like autism can have negative reactions to bright flashing lights, and sudden sirens. And police can misinterpret a driver’s movements or silence, which may be beyond an driver’s control in what can be a high-pressure, high-anxiety situation like a traffic stop.

Designed to ease communication, lower stress levels, and sidesteps misunderstandings among responders unaware of a person’s condition, each envelope would hold:

• The driver’s license or other government-issued photo identification
• Vehicle registration
• Insurance card
• Any other related documents

Plus, per the legislation, they’d have to fit in the glove box, display any useful information for law enforcement and emergency services externally, and instruct those responders about effective communication and safety considerations.

The bill requires the Municipal Police Training Council—part of the Division of Criminal Justice Services—to regulate and create rules for training for all police in the state about the program. That training would cover:

• The point of the blue envelope
• Information about mental health disorders, behavioral disorders, and neurodivergence
• Instructions on communication
• Stress reduction and safety techniques to use during such an interaction

Albany, Cayuga, Columbia, Cortland, Dutchess, Erie, Fulton, Greene, Jefferson, Livingston, Madison, Monroe, Montgomery, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Orange, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady, Seneca, St. Lawrence, Steuben, Tompkins, Washington, Wayne, Westchester, and Yates Counties have already adopted or are developing regional Blue Envelope Programs. The New York State Sheriffs’ Association and local counties have already implemented several versions to help individuals on the autism spectrum.

Contact your local sheriff or autism advocacy organizations in your area to participate. Envelopes are supposed to be free for people who need them.

NYSSA launched their initiative in January. Still, Santabarbara called the current saturation level uneven. He said that his proposal would fix that problem, standardizing what is now inconsistent access and incomplete training.

Although the legislation cleared the Senate in June, it’s currently stuck in the Assembly Transportation Committee. If it were to pass the legislature and ultimately get signed by the governor, it would take effect one year later.

Related video // NYS Sheriffs’ Association rolls out new Blue Envelope Program: