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HB 140 · 2025 · House · Transportation Committee

Blue envelope program for drivers

AI-generated

(New Title) establishing a voluntary "blue envelope" program for drivers with autism spectrum disorders and trauma and stressor-related disorders.

Establishes a voluntary 'blue envelope' program allowing drivers with autism spectrum disorder or trauma and stressor-related disorders to carry and present written communication guidance to law enforcement.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · May 21, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill establishes a program, named the blue envelope program, where a motor vehicle driver with an autism spectrum disorder or trauma and stressor-related disorder may carry and present to law enforcement a blue envelope containing written information and guidance on effective communication with the driver.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“There is hereby established the blue envelope program to enhance and facilitate communication between members of law enforcement and drivers with autism spectrum and trauma and stressor-related disorders.”
RSA 265:3-c
“The division of motor vehicles, in consultation with the New Hampshire council on autism spectrum and trauma and stressor-related disorders, shall design and make available at no cost blue envelopes that:”
RSA 265:3-c
“Upon request by a person with an autism spectrum or trauma and stressor-related disorder, or if such person is a minor, the person's parent or guardian, accompanied by proof of such disorder, the division shall provide a blue envelope designed pursuant to this section to such person, parent or guardian.”
RSA 265:3-c
“The guidance on the outside of the blue envelope shall include an instruction to attach the envelope to the driver's visor on the side facing the driver in the down position for easy and safe access.”
RSA 265:3-c

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Jodi NewellDPrime
  • Rep. Alissandra MurrayDClerk· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Rep. Terry RoyRChair· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Rep. Heath HowardDDeputy Ranking Member· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Rep. Linda Harriott-GathrightDRanking Member· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Sen. Timothy LangRMajority Whip

Also: Rep. Samantha JacobsD, Rep. Loren SeligD, Rep. Jeffrey TenczarR, Rep. Jonah WheelerD, Rep. Lucius ParshallD, Sen. Donovan FentonD, Sen. David WattersD

Public testimony

13 signed in online · 3 wrote testimony

92% support8% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“This bill is very helpful to establish a program, named the Blue Envelope Program, where a motor vehicle driver with an autism spectrum disorder may carry and present to law enforcement a blue envelope containing written information and guidance on effective communication with the driver.”
— Barbara Spike, Plymouthsupports
“I thank representative Newell for bringing the bill forward. This is a win for challenged person as well as anyone that may need to assist him/her at any time. The more information provided to those involved will assist in the tools to better serve/respond to each situation.…”
— Linda Harriott-Gathright, Nashuasupports
“As the mother of an autistic 17 year old son, this program would be very helpful for our family. My son does have special communication needs, but wants very much to learn how to drive. This would make it more safe for him, and give me peace of mind.”
— Mary Osborne, Doversupports

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Jan 28, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0129h (NT)16–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 6, 2025HouseVoice voteAmendment 2025-0129hadopted
  • Feb 6, 2025HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0129hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • Apr 17, 2025SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Ought to Pass5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 17, 2025SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 1, 2025SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 21, 2025Public hearingHouse Transportation38:07–40:562m 49slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Jan 28, 2025Public hearingHouse Transportation5:14:40–5:24:109m 30slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0129h (NT) — roll call; Executive Session
  • Feb 6, 2025Floor debateHouse floor4:11:10–4:12:561m 46slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0129h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2025-0129h — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 25, 2025Public hearingSenate Transportation47:18–54:066m 48slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Apr 17, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • May 1, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Transportation HJ 2 P. 7
  2. Jan 21, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/21/2025 10:20 am LOB 203
  3. Jan 28, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 01/28/2025 01:30 pm LOB 203
  4. Jan 28, 2025HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0129h (NT) 01/28/2025 (Vote 16-0; RC) HC 10 P. 13
  5. Feb 6, 2025HouseAmendment # 2025-0129h: AA VV 02/06/2025 HJ 4 P. 47
  6. Feb 6, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0129h: MA VV 02/06/2025 HJ 4 P. 47
  7. Mar 6, 2025SenIntroduced 03/06/2025 and Referred to Transportation; SJ 7
  8. Mar 25, 2025SenHearing: 03/25/2025, Room 101, LOB, 01:10 pm; SC 14
  9. Apr 17, 2025SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass, 04/17/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 17
  10. Apr 17, 2025SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 04/17/2025; SJ 10
  11. May 1, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/01/2025 HJ 13 P. 31
  12. May 1, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/01/2025); SJ 12
  13. May 14, 2025HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 05/14/2025; Chapter 17; eff. 07/13/2025

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Background reading

Evergreen reading on the policy area — spanning perspectives — not coverage of this specific bill.

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder Advisory CouncilExplainer

    Connecticut Office of Policy and Management — Describes a state autism advisory council's makeup and its role advising officials on services and policy.AI-generated

  • About UsNH context

    NH Council on Autism Spectrum Disorders — The council's own account of its statutory mission to coordinate autism-related health, education, and services in New Hampshire.AI-generated

  • Opinion: When accountability matters more than labelsSupporters

    Concord Monitor — An op-ed making the streamlining and accountability case that informs HB 1337's repeal of the council.AI-generated

  • HB 1337 (2026)NH context

    Citizens Count — A nonpartisan summary of the bill repealing the New Hampshire Council on Autism Spectrum Disorders and its status.AI-generated

  • Public PolicyCritics

    Autism Society — An advocacy organization's view on the value of dedicated bodies and forums that shape autism services and policy.AI-generated

  • The New Hampshire Council on Autism Spectrum DisordersNH context

    New Hampshire Family Voices — A family-support organization's description of the council's origins and work in the state.AI-generated

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.