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HB 7159 Connecticut House · 2025 Regular Session

AN ACT CREATING YELLOW ENVELOPES TO PROMOTE ACCOMMODATION AND COMMUNICATION BETWEEN FIRST RESPONDERS AND PERSONS WITH COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENTS OR PHYSICAL DISABILITIES AND INCREASING AWARENESS OF BLUE AND YELLOW ENVELOPES AMONG FIRST RESPONDERS.

HB 7159 creates "yellow envelopes" to help first responders (police, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel) better communicate with people who have cognitive impairments or physical disabilities. The bill requires the Motor Vehicle Commissioner to design these envelopes - holding ID documents and containing communication guidance - and develop awareness materials like wallet cards and stickers. People with disabilities (or their guardians) can request these free envelopes and materials from first responder offices, such as police stations or ambulance services. The law aims to improve interactions during emergencies by providing clear, accessible resources for both responders and individuals with disabilities.
Issues: ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeImproves law enforcement communication with disabled individuals, reducing potential criminal justice encounters through proactive accommodation. Directly addresses law enforcement interaction protocols.85% confidence
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Mar 5, 2025 Last action Apr 7, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill → TRA Joint Favorable Substitute · 5 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to change its title and purpose, shifting focus from creating yellow envelopes to increasing awareness of them. The bill also significantly reorganized the duties of the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity, replacing specific training requirements with broader quality-of-life goals and removing detailed juvenile handling training mandates.
Scope change
The bill's scope was narrowed from creating and distributing yellow envelopes to primarily promoting awareness of them. Additionally, the scope of the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity was substantially altered, removing specific training mandates and replacing them with general quality-of-life objectives.
SCOPE

The bill's title and purpose were changed from creating yellow envelopes to increasing awareness of blue and yellow envelopes among first responders.

REQUIREMENT

Specific training requirements for police and emergency services regarding juvenile matters and handling persons with cognitive impairments were removed and replaced with broader quality-of-life goals for the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity.

The Commission's duties were changed from offering specific training to focusing on desired results for women, children, seniors, and specific demographic populations, including health, safety, education, poverty reduction, and discrimination prevention.

The Commission's responsibilities were expanded to include reviewing proposed legislation, advising on program coordination, and gathering demographic information for annual reports.

TIMELINE

The effective date for the substituted section was changed from January 1, 2026 to the date of passage.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
9
Key actions
1
Committee
2
Mar 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Joint Favorable Substitute
lower
Mar 5, 2025
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Transportation
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.