Beaumont State Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh, R-Yucaipa, unveiled legislation seeking to establish a statewide standard “Blue Envelope Program.” Now known as Senate Bill 664, it aims to reduce the stress of interactions between law enforcement personnel and residents with intellectual disabilities, and standardize the program already at work in the Inland Empire and other counties.
Picture a traffic stop, where authorities and individuals with autism or other disabilities interact. A misunderstanding can lead to a high-stress situation, Bogh described. That’s where the “blue envelope” comes in.
The driver can hand it to the officer, containing their driver’s license, vehicle registration, insurance, and any instructions for both the person stopped by law enforcement and the law enforcement officers. Those materials are already available in Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diegocounties. After seeing initial success, Bogh is counting on it getting wider appeal.
“A routine traffic stop can be stressful for anyone, but for individuals with autism or other disabilities, it can be terrifying — sometimes leading to unnecessary escalation,” she said. “Senate Bill 664 is a simple yet powerful solution that fosters understanding, reduces fear, and ultimately keeps everyone safer — both individuals with disabilities and the officers who serve our communities.”
According to Bogh, making the locally available program statewide would draw on the expertise of sheriffs, police chiefs, Department of Motor Vehicles administrators, and others to establish specific Blue Envelope Program standards for use in every county and municipality.
The Blue Envelope concept has already led to statewide programs in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. It’s currently available in parts of California, but localities are generally left to develop baseline criteria on their own.
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, who has entered the race for California Governor, shared his thoughts on the Blue Envelope Program at the Wednesday meeting.
“As the first agency in California to implement a Blue Envelope Program, we are proud that this has caught on,” Bianco said. “This bill sets to standardize the program statewide to ensure consistency in its application. SB 664 helps bridge the communication gap between our disabled community and law enforcement to ensure a safer and more understanding experience.”
“Program participants often express that the Blue Envelope Program gives them confidence to communicate with law enforcement,” San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez said. “With SB 664, let us uplift our commitment to the communities by aiming to make California a model for compassion and understanding in law enforcement.”
If approved, the new law would give the DMV until Jan. 1, 2027, to collaborate with community stakeholders to develop a framework for a statewide program.
“We cannot stop working on this problem until all people with developmental disabilities and their families can safely navigate their communities, and law enforcement is fully informed and confident in their approach to meeting the unique needs of our community,” Association of Regional Center Agencies Director Amy Westling said regarding the bill.
It has been referred to the Senate Committee on Transportation for initial review.
