SB 664
Vehicles: public safety: Blue Envelope Program.
Vote required
Majority
Fiscal committee
No
Appropriation
No
Current location
Transportation
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Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed Assembly
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill requires the California Department of Motor Vehicles to create a ‘Blue Envelope Program’ by January 1, 2027. The program aims to improve communication between law enforcement and individuals with disabilities or conditions that may require accommodations. Blue envelopes will contain information for individuals with disabilities, traffic safety tips, and recommendations for law enforcement officers, as well as space for emergency contact information.
Key provisions
- The Department of Motor Vehicles must develop a Blue Envelope Program by January 1, 2027.
- Blue envelopes will include traffic safety tips for individuals with disabilities.
- Blue envelopes will provide recommendations to law enforcement for enhanced communication and accommodation.
- The envelopes will include a space for individuals to add notes about their needs.
- The department must provide blue envelopes upon request from individuals with disabilities, their family members, or guardians.
- Law enforcement agencies can develop their own related products (lanyards, etc.) following minimum requirements.
- The program does not require law enforcement to compromise safety when encountering someone with a blue envelope.
Who is affected
- Individuals with disabilities
- Law enforcement officers
- Families and guardians of individuals with disabilities
- The Department of Motor Vehicles
Notable changes
Sponsors
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Primary sponsor
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SB664:v99#DOCUMENT
Bill Start
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION
Senate Bill
No. 664
| Introduced by Senator Ochoa Bogh (Coauthors: Senators Alvarado-Gil, Blakespear, Choi, Dahle, Hurtado, Jones, Niello, Seyarto, Valladares, Wahab, and Weber Pierson) (Coauthors: Assembly Members Jeff Gonzalez, Hoover, Lackey, Sanchez, and Wallis) |
| February 20, 2025 |
An act to add Section 13009 to the Vehicle Code, relating to public safety.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 664, as introduced, Ochoa Bogh. Vehicles: public safety: Blue Envelope Program.
Existing law establishes the Department of Motor Vehicles, tasked with issuance and renewal of licenses to drivers. Existing law requires the department to prescribe and provide suitable forms of applications, certificates of ownership, registration cards, driver’s licenses, and all other forms that are deemed necessary.
This bill would, by January 1, 2027, require the department, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, to develop a Blue Envelope Program. Under the program, the bill would require the blue envelope to contain specified information for requesters with a condition or disability, as specified. The bill would also authorize others, including a parent or legal guardian of a passenger with a disability, to request a blue envelope.
Digest Key
Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO
Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 13009 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:
13009.
(a) By January 1, 2027, the Department of Motor Vehicles, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, shall develop a Blue Envelope Program to promote inclusivity and enhanced communication between law enforcement and community members with a condition or disability where additional accommodations or awareness may be helpful. The blue envelope developed in the program shall contain the following:
(1) Printed information for the envelope’s holder regarding traffic stop safety tips.
(2) Printed recommendations to the responding law enforcement officer with interaction techniques to help promote enhanced communication and accommodation between law enforcement and community members.
(3) Blank area where the individual, or their emergency contact, may add additional noteworthy comments pertaining to the individual’s needs or requested accommodations.
(4) Blank area where the individual may write down the contact information of their emergency contact person.
(b) Upon request by a person who is protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-336), a person who has a condition and may need additional accommodations with law enforcement, or a parent or other family member, legal guardian, conservator, or driver of a passenger with a disability, the department shall provide the requester a blue envelope. The blue envelope shall be designed to hold a copy of the person’s operator license, vehicle registration, and insurance card.
(c) This section does not prevent a law enforcement agency from developing its own blue envelope or other products, including, but not limited to, lanyards, seatbelt covers, decals, stickers, wristbands, and keychains, so long as it follows the minimum requirements set forth in this section.
(d) Although law enforcement has a duty to extend reasonable accommodations or modifications in accordance with state and federal disability rights laws, this section does not require a peace officer to compromise their safety or the safety of others when encountering a person who has presented a blue envelope or associated products as described in subdivision (c).