,,ii #aaith ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #djhi ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,march #ab1 #bjbf,mr4 ,coons 7for himself and ,mr4 ,schmitt7 introduced the following bill2 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 programs1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,supporting ,blue ,envelope ,programs ,act4 #b4 ,blue envelope grant program 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means-- 7,a7 a law enforcement agency or group of law enforcement agencies that has a partnership with a nonprofit organization described in subparagraph 7,b7 for the purpose of creating or supporting a blue envelope program2 or 7,b7 a nonprofit organization-- 7i7 that provides services to or otherwise assists individuals with autism spectrum disorder or developmental1 cognitive1 sensory1 or communication disabilities1 and families of those individuals2 and 7ii7 that has a partnership with not fewer than #a law enforcement agency for the purpose of creating or supporting a blue envelope program4 7#b7 ,blue envelope program ,the term blue envelope program means a program operated by an eligible entity-- 7,a7 that provides training1 including crisis response and deescalation tactic training1 and resources for law enforcement officers 7and may provide training for first responders7 on improving interactions with individuals with autism spectrum disorder or developmental1 cognitive1 sensory1 or communication disabilities2 7,b7 that does not have a registration component or participant list for participating individuals described in subparagraph 7,a72 7,c7 in which participation is voluntary for individuals described in subparagraph 7,a72 7,d7 that provides individuals described in subparagraph 7,a7 with items and materials that help overcome communication barriers in interactions with law enforcement and first responders1 including-- 7i7 blue envelopes that can be used to store essential documents in vehicles1 such as identification1 diagnosis information1 communication preferences and emergency contact information for use during vehicle-related law enforcement encounters2 and 7ii7 other items and materials that may include-- 7,i7 car decals2 7,,ii7 seatbealt covers2 7,,iii7 lanyards2 7,,iv7 keychains2 7,v7 pins2 and 7,,vi7 other accessories and resources that can be helpful in overcoming communication barriers in interactions with law enforcement and first responders2 and 7,e7 that provides education1 including voluntary training and resources-- 7i7 for community members on how to safely interact with individuals described in subparagraph 7,a72 and 7ii7 for individuals described in subparagraph 7,a7 on how use the items and materials described in subparagraph 7,d74 7#c7 ,director ,the term ,director means the ,director of the ,bureau of ,justice ,assistance4 7#d7 ,state2 unit of local government ,the terms ,state and unit of local government have the meanings given those terms in section #ija of the ,omnibus ,crime ,control and ,safe ,streets ,act of #aifh 7#cd ,u4,s4,c4 #ajbea74 7b7 ,establishment ,the ,attorney ,general1 acting through the ,director1 may make grants to eligible entities to create or support blue envelope programs4 7c7 ,priority ,in awarding grants under this section1 the ,director shall prioritize blue envelope programs that-- 7#a7 have scalability or a plan to continue the operation of the program beyond the duration of the grant award2 7#b7 have community support2 7#c7 involve multiple law enforcement agencies2 and 7#d7 involve entities that-- 7,a7 have demonstrated person-centered and trauma-informed practices and actively engage individuals in the community with autism spectrum disorder or developmental1 cognitive1 sensory1 or communication disabilities1 who may face communication barriers during law enforcement encounters2 7,b7 have experience in providing training and resources to law enforcement agencies in interactions with such individuals2 and 7,c7 seek the input and feedback from self-advocates with a variety of disabilities4 7d7 ,distribution ,the ,director shall make every effort to-- 7#a7 ensure a broad geographic distribution of awards under this section2 and 7#b7 take into consideration the needs of underserved populations1 including rural and ,tribal communities4 7e7 ,report ,on the date that is #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 and every #b years thereafter1 the ,director shall submit to ,congress a report on-- 7#a7 the implementation of the grant program under this section2 7#b7 different models and examples of blue envelope programs funded under this section1 including trainings and materials used2 and 7#c7 recommended best practices for blue envelope programs4 7f7 ,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 program4 7g7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,attorney ,general to carry out this section #e1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbg through #bjca4