Directs the department of motor vehicles commissioner to offer, upon request, a "blue envelope" to a person who has autism spectrum disorder in order to facilitate clear and safe communication with law enforcement and provide ease of access to a driver's documentation.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
8673
IN SENATE
January 7, 2026
___________
Introduced by Sen. FAHY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to providing
"blue envelopes" to individuals with autism spectrum disorder
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding a new
2 section 401-c to read as follows:
3 § 401-c. Blue envelopes. 1. For the purposes of this section, the term
4 "blue envelope" shall mean blue colored envelopes designed by the
5 commissioner, in consultation with the New York state police and the
6 office for people with developmental disabilities, that:
7 (a) provide clearly written information and guidance on the outside of
8 the envelope regarding ways to enhance effective communication between a
9 police officer and a person with autism spectrum disorder;
10 (b) include instructions for ease of access to the envelope, includ-
11 ing, but not limited to, attaching the envelope to the sun visor on the
12 driver's side of the vehicle; and
13 (c) can hold a person's drivers' license, certificate of registration,
14 and insurance identification card.
15 2. The department shall make available, upon request, said blue envel-
16 ope to a person with autism spectrum disorder or the person's parent or
17 guardian.
18 § 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
19 it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amend-
20 ment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implemen-
21 tation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
22 completed on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13544-01-5
