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(Tallahassee, FL) - A state senate bill providing law enforcement officers with the tools to safely communicate with the autistic community advancing today.
Bill sponsor Senator Shevrin Jones says the measure provides training to help officers calmly communicate with an ASD affected person to avoid unnecessary escalation.
It provides officers with simple ways to recognize and communicate with an individual with autism spectrum disorder to prevent misunderstandings. Miaja Hahn with Research and Education for Autistic Children's treatment, or REACT, supports the bill especially the Blue Envelope Program.
SB 418 makes traffic stops safer by providing a special envelope to ASD drivers. The blue envelope contains information and documents drivers can hand to an officer to improve communication.
Hahn also says officers must receive training to understand that loss of motor control is complex neurology not willful misconduct.