[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4089 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4089
To authorize the Attorney General to make grants to eligible entities
to carry out blue envelope programs, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
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.
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