“To authorize the Attorney General to make grants to eligible entities to carry out blue envelope programs, and for other purposes.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section establishes a grant program, to be administered by the Attorney General through the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, authorizing awards to eligible entities—either law enforcement agencies (or groups thereof) partnered with specified nonprofits, or such nonprofits partnered with law enforcement—to create or support blue envelope programs. A blue envelope program provides voluntary training and resources to law enforcement officers (and potentially first responders) on interactions with individuals who have autism spectrum disorder or developmental, cognitive, sensory, or communication disabilities; supplies items to help overcome communication barriers during encounters, such as blue envelopes for storing identification, diagnosis information, communication preferences, and emergency contacts in vehicles, plus optional items like car decals, seatbelt covers, lanyards, keychains, and pins; and offers education for community members and affected individuals on safe interactions and item usage. (Thus, programs contain no registration component or participant list.) In awarding grants, the Director must prioritize programs that are scalable or have sustainability plans, demonstrate community support, involve multiple law enforcement agencies, and partner with entities experienced in person-centered, trauma-informed practices that incorporate input from self-advocates with disabilities. The Director must ensure broad geographic distribution of awards, with consideration for underserved populations including rural and tribal communities; submit reports to Congress on program implementation, funded models (including trainings and materials), and best practices, beginning one year after enactment and biennially thereafter; and maintain a public online directory of blue envelope programs. This section authorizes appropriations of $5 million for each of FY2027 through FY2031.