2024 -- S 2481 SUBSTITUTE A

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LC004277/SUB A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- OPERATORS' AND CHAUFFEURS'

LICENSES

     Introduced By: Senators Gu, Gallo, Valverde, Lawson, Felag, Acosta, Raptakis, Tikoian,
and Ujifusa

     Date Introduced: February 12, 2024

     Referred To: Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 31-10 of the General Laws entitled "Operators' and Chauffeurs'

Licenses" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     31-10-49. Autism designations for motor vehicle operators - Blue envelope program.

     The administrator of the division of motor vehicles, in consultation with the Rhode Island

Police Chiefs' Association and the Governor's Commission on Disabilities, shall develop and

institute a "Blue Envelope Program" to enhance communications between police officers and

persons with autism spectrum disorder. In developing the program, the division of motor vehicles

shall consider best practices from implementation of similar programs in other jurisdictions.

Participation in any program pursuant to this section shall be strictly voluntary.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2025.

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LC004277/SUB A

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- OPERATORS' AND CHAUFFEURS'

LICENSES

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     This act would require the administrator of the division of motor vehicles, in consultation

with the Rhode Island Police Chiefs' Association and the Governor's Commission on Disabilities,

to develop and institute a Blue Envelope Program to enhance effective communication between a

police officer and a person with autism spectrum disorder.

     This act would take effect on January 1, 2025.

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