S 4089

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IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

March 12, 2026

Mr. Coons (for himself and Mr. Schmitt) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

To authorize the Attorney General to make grants to eligible entities to carry out blue envelope programs, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “Supporting Blue Envelope Programs Act”.

SEC. 2. BLUE ENVELOPE GRANT PROGRAM.

(a) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) Eligible entity.—The term “eligible entity” means—

(A) a law enforcement agency or group of law enforcement agencies that has a partnership with a nonprofit organization described in subparagraph (B) for the purpose of creating or supporting a blue envelope program; or

(B) a nonprofit organization—

(i) that provides services to or otherwise assists individuals with autism spectrum disorder or developmental, cognitive, sensory, or communication disabilities, and families of those individuals; and

(ii) that has a partnership with not fewer than 1 law enforcement agency for the purpose of creating or supporting a blue envelope program.

(2) Blue envelope program.—The term “blue envelope program” means a program operated by an eligible entity—

(A) that provides training, including crisis response and deescalation tactic training, and resources for law enforcement officers (and may provide training for first responders) on improving interactions with individuals with autism spectrum disorder or developmental, cognitive, sensory, or communication disabilities;

(B) that does not have a registration component or participant list for participating individuals described in subparagraph (A);

(C) in which participation is voluntary for individuals described in subparagraph (A);

(D) that provides individuals described in subparagraph (A) with items and materials that help overcome communication barriers in interactions with law enforcement and first responders, including—

(i) blue envelopes that can be used to store essential documents in vehicles, such as identification, diagnosis information, communication preferences and emergency contact information for use during vehicle-related law enforcement encounters; and

(ii) other items and materials that may include—

(I) car decals;

(II) seatbealt covers;

(III) lanyards;

(IV) keychains;

(V) pins; and

(VI) other accessories and resources that can be helpful in overcoming communication barriers in interactions with law enforcement and first responders; and

(E) that provides education, including voluntary training and resources—

(i) for community members on how to safely interact with individuals described in subparagraph (A); and

(ii) for individuals described in subparagraph (A) on how use the items and materials described in subparagraph (D).

(3) Director.—The term “Director” means the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance.

(4) State; unit of local government.—The terms “State” and “unit of local government” have the meanings given those terms in section 901 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10251).

(b) Establishment.—The Attorney General, acting through the Director, may make grants to eligible entities to create or support blue envelope programs.

(c) Priority.—In awarding grants under this section, the Director shall prioritize blue envelope programs that—

(1) have scalability or a plan to continue the operation of the program beyond the duration of the grant award;

(2) have community support;

(3) involve multiple law enforcement agencies; and

(4) involve entities that—

(A) have demonstrated person-centered and trauma- informed practices and actively engage individuals in the community with autism spectrum disorder or developmental, cognitive, sensory, or communication disabilities, who may face communication barriers during law enforcement encounters;

(B) have experience in providing training and resources to law enforcement agencies in interactions with such individuals; and

(C) seek the input and feedback from self-advocates with a variety of disabilities.

(d) Distribution.—The Director shall make every effort to—

(1) ensure a broad geographic distribution of awards under this section; and

(2) take into consideration the needs of underserved populations, including rural and Tribal communities.

(e) Report.—On the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 2 years thereafter, the Director shall submit to Congress a report on—

(1) the implementation of the grant program under this section;

(2) different models and examples of blue envelope programs funded under this section, including trainings and materials used; and

(3) recommended best practices for blue envelope programs.

(f) Directory.—The Director shall maintain a publicly accessible online directory of blue envelope programs for use by members of the public to locate the nearest blue envelope program.

(g) Authorization of Appropriations.—There is authorized to be appropriated to the Attorney General to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031. <all>