State Announces Law Enforcement Initiatives for Interacting with Autistic Individuals
February 26, 2025
Last week, the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS), the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General (OAG), and the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) announced two new initiatives meant to improve interactions between law enforcement and individuals with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and/or a communication disorder diagnosis.
The first initiative would allow individuals with ASD, a communication disorder, or both, to sign up for a discreet notation on their driver’s license or non-driver identification card and a “pink card” which also indicates their diagnosis. On May 15th, 2023, Governor Murphy signed S761 (N.J.S.A. 39:3-10f8), into law which required the MVC to establish this notation. The pink card is meant to serve as a companion document to the driver’s license or identification card. Both documents must always be carried by a vehicle’s driver or passenger. Information on the ASD/communication disorder designation can be found here.
The second initiative is guidance for law enforcement when communicating with individuals with ASD and/or a communication disorder. This guidance was developed by DHS and the OAG in close collaboration with Autism New Jersey and other interest groups. Autism New Jersey understands how stressful it can be for autistic individuals interacting with police officers after being stopped in their vehicle while on the road as a driver or passenger. Besides supporting the person with ASD and/or communication disorder, the guidance helps law enforcement agencies around the state better understand this population so they can alter and improve how their traffic stops occur. The guidance can be found on the OAG website.
The notation and guidance are a step in the right direction and align with the goals of Autism New Jersey’s Law Enforcement Initiative. Autism New Jersey is grateful to our state departments and leaders for seeking to bring our disability community together and foster trust with our police.