Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, Chair of the New York State Assembly Committee on People with Disabilities, today expressed his support for the Town of Rotterdam Police Department’s launch of its new Blue Envelope Program while highlighting his legislation, A.8719, to establish the program statewide.

Rotterdam’s Blue Envelope Program is designed to help create safer, calmer and more positive interactions between law enforcement officers and drivers on the autism spectrum or with other communication differences. Participants keep their driver’s license, registration and insurance information in a specially designated blue envelope that law enforcement officers are trained to recognize. When presented during a traffic stop or other interaction, the envelope signals to the officer that the individual may have communication or sensory needs and provides guidance to help the officer respond appropriately.

“For people with autism and others with communication differences, something as routine as a traffic stop can become difficult when communication or sensory needs are not understood,” said Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara. “As the father of a son with autism, I know how important it is to have tools in place that provide the right support when it’s needed. The Blue Envelope Program is a simple step that can make a real difference—helping people navigate these interactions more safely and independently while giving families greater peace of mind.”

Santabarbara’s legislation, A.8719, would establish the Blue Envelope Program statewide, creating a recognizable and consistent tool that trained law enforcement officers across New York State would know to identify during an interaction. The legislation would expand access to Blue Envelope materials through state and county motor vehicle offices and provide for law enforcement training related to the program.

“I thank the Town of Rotterdam for putting this program into action right here in our community,” Assemblyman Santabarbara said. “Programs like this show how a simple tool can improve communication and make an interaction safer for everyone involved. My legislation would build on these efforts by making the Blue Envelope Program available statewide, so individuals and families across New York can have access to the same resource.”

The Town’s launch builds on efforts by the Rotterdam Police Department to strengthen community partnerships, enhance training and better support individuals who may process or communicate information differently. As part of the local program, officers have received guidance on autism awareness, de-escalation and best practices for communicating with individuals who may process information differently.

Blue envelopes are available at no cost to Town of Rotterdam residents and can be picked up at the Rotterdam Police Station. Some Rotterdam police officers will also have envelopes available while on patrol.

A.8719 is currently before the New York State Assembly.