Bill > HR6602

This bill establishes a Blue Envelope Grant Program administered by the Attorney General through the Bureau of Justice Assistance to support programs designed to improve law enforcement interactions with individuals who have autism spectrum disorder or developmental, cognitive, sensory, or communication disabilities. The program will provide grants to eligible entities—which include law enforcement agencies partnered with nonprofit organizations—to create blue envelope programs that offer voluntary, non-registration training and resources. These programs will provide individuals with special needs items like blue envelopes to store important documents, car decals, and other accessories to help overcome communication barriers during law enforcement encounters. When awarding grants, priority will be given to programs with scalability, community support, multi-agency involvement, and those that demonstrate person-centered, trauma-informed practices. The bill requires the Director to ensure geographic diversity in grant distribution, maintain a public online directory of these programs, and submit biennial reports to Congress about program implementation and best practices. The legislation authorizes $5 million in appropriations annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to support these initiatives, with a focus on helping individuals with disabilities navigate law enforcement interactions more effectively and safely.

Justice

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/6602/all-info