PRIA Logo™
119-hr-6602119th Congress

Supporting Blue Envelope Programs Act

Sponsored By: Representative Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35]

Introduced

Summary

Improve interactions between law enforcement and people with autism and related disabilities. This bill would create a Department of Justice grant program to fund local "blue envelope" programs that pair training for officers with simple communication tools and community partnerships.

Show full summary
  • Families and individuals with autism and related developmental, cognitive, sensory, or communication disabilities would gain voluntary tools like blue envelopes that store ID, diagnosis details, communication preferences, and guidance on safe use during police encounters.
  • Law enforcement officers and first responders would receive training and materials aimed at safer, clearer interactions with people who face communication barriers.
  • Nonprofits and local law enforcement agencies could apply together for grants; awards would favor programs that are scalable, sustained, multi-agency, trauma-informed, and shaped by input from self-advocates.
  • The program would aim for broad geographic reach and consider underserved communities, including rural and tribal areas.
  • The Attorney General would keep a public online directory of funded programs and report to Congress on models, trainings, and best practices.

*The bill would authorize $5.0 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031, increasing federal spending by up to $25.0 million over that period if appropriated.*

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Grants for police blue envelope programs

If enacted, this bill would create a Blue Envelope Grant Program run by the Attorney General through the Bureau of Justice Assistance. It would authorize $5,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to fund grants. Grants would go to law enforcement agencies partnered with qualifying nonprofits, or to nonprofits partnered with law enforcement. Funded programs would provide voluntary tools and training—like blue envelopes for vehicle encounters, decals, lanyards, and community education—and would not keep participant registration lists. The Director would prioritize scalable, community-supported projects, seek broad geographic distribution including rural and tribal areas, keep a public directory of programs, and report to Congress one year after enactment and every two years after that.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35]

CA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 12/10/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation