Vehicles: public safety: Blue Envelope Program.

A bipartisan coalition of California legislators, led by Senator Ochoa Bogh, proposes establishing a Blue Envelope Program to facilitate communication between law enforcement officers and individuals with disabilities or conditions requiring special accommodations during traffic stops. The program would require the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to create and distribute specialized blue envelopes containing safety information and accommodation guidance by January 2027.

The envelopes would serve as standardized tools for storing driver documentation while providing both drivers and officers with relevant information. Each envelope would include traffic stop safety tips, recommended interaction techniques for officers, space for noting specific accommodation needs, and emergency contact information. Individuals protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act, those with conditions requiring special accommodations, and their family members or legal guardians would be eligible to request the envelopes from the DMV.

The legislation permits law enforcement agencies to develop complementary tools such as lanyards, decals, and wristbands that meet the program's requirements. While the bill reinforces law enforcement's duty to provide reasonable accommodations under existing disability rights laws, it explicitly preserves officers' discretion to maintain safety during interactions with blue envelope holders. The DMV would implement the program through existing resources, as the bill requires no additional appropriations.