HB 4053: To establish the blue envelope program. - West Virginia

hb4053 sfa maynard _1 3-6 adopted.htm → hb4053 sfat maynard _1 3-6 adopted.htm · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill's title was updated to reflect a new 'Eng. Com. Sub.' (Engineered Committee Substitute) version, and the legislative text was completely replaced with a revised set of articles. The new text maintains the core purpose of the Blue Envelope Program but restructures the legal requirements, specifically adding explicit provisions that the State Police do not need to verify envelope information and clarifying that the state and its employees are immune from liability if the information on the envelopes is accurate.

Scope change

The scope of the bill remains focused on the Blue Envelope Program for individuals with autism, dementia, or intellectual disabilities, but the legal framework for enforcement and liability has been significantly altered.

REQUIREMENT

The requirement for the State Police to verify information on the envelopes was removed, stating explicitly that verification is not required.

ENFORCEMENT

New language was added to establish immunity from civil and criminal penalties for the state and its employees when acting in good faith based on the envelope information.

TECHNICAL

The bill text was replaced entirely with a new version that includes a new title and reorganized article structure.

hb4053 hfa akers 2-4 _1 adopted.htm → hb4053 sfa maynard _1 3-6 adopted.htm · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was completely rewritten by Senator Maynard to establish a new 'Blue Envelope Program' for drivers with autism, dementia, or intellectual disabilities. This replaces previous amendments that only suggested adding these conditions to existing text, creating a specific legal framework for distributing informational envelopes to aid communication during traffic stops.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from minor textual amendments to a comprehensive new statute establishing a statewide program administered by the State Police.

REQUIREMENT

Created a new article (Article 3g) establishing the Blue Envelope Program, requiring the State Police to develop and distribute blue envelopes by January 1, 2027.

Mandated that the envelopes contain specific instructions for law enforcement on best practices for interacting with drivers who have these conditions to reduce stress and ensure safety.

Required the State Police to make envelopes available by mail and at all State Police detachments and county motor vehicle offices.

ELIGIBILITY

Defined eligibility for the program as drivers diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, dementia, or intellectual and developmental disabilities.

ENFORCEMENT

Added immunity provisions protecting law enforcement and the state from liability if they act in good faith based on information provided in the envelopes, provided the information is not knowingly false.

TECHNICAL

Removed Delegate Akers' specific line-by-line amendment proposals which sought to insert disability categories into existing sections.

Committee Substitute → hb4053 hfa akers 2-4 _1 adopted.htm · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill was amended to expand eligibility beyond just autism spectrum disorder to include dementia and intellectual and developmental disabilities. This change ensures that individuals with these additional conditions can also use the Blue Envelope Program to facilitate safer interactions with law enforcement.

Scope change

The program's scope was broadened to include three specific groups of individuals instead of one.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility criteria were updated to include persons diagnosed with dementia or intellectual and developmental disabilities in addition to autism spectrum disorder.

Enrolled Committee Substitute → Committee Substitute · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill text was reformatted from a legislative document style to a web page layout, and the substantive policy language was significantly altered. The most critical change is the reduction of eligible recipients from three groups (autism spectrum disorder, dementia, and intellectual and developmental disabilities) to only one group (autism spectrum disorder). Additionally, the section regarding liability was shortened and renumbered, removing the specific mention of 'dementia' and 'intellectual and developmental disabilities' from the immunity clause.

Scope change

The scope of the program was narrowed; eligibility for the Blue Envelope Program is now limited exclusively to drivers diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, whereas the original text included individuals with dementia or intellectual and developmental disabilities.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility criteria were narrowed to include only drivers with autism spectrum disorder, removing dementia and intellectual and developmental disabilities from the list of qualifying conditions.

REQUIREMENT

The specific requirements for envelope content were updated to remove references to dementia and intellectual and developmental disabilities, ensuring the materials only reflect the new, narrower eligibility criteria.

DEFINITION

The section defining the program's purpose was condensed and renumbered, changing the title from 'Establishment' to 'Findings' and altering the specific language regarding the program's goals.

TECHNICAL

The document structure changed from a formal legislative text format to a web page interface, including navigation menus and footer links, while the substantive legal clauses were rewritten.

ENFORCEMENT

The immunity and liability section was shortened and renumbered, removing the explicit mention of dementia and intellectual and developmental disabilities from the protection against civil or criminal penalties.

Engrossed Committee Substitute → Enrolled Committee Substitute · 5 edits · Mar 25, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was finalized into its enrolled version, removing committee headers and adding standard legislative certification signatures. The substantive policy text remains largely the same, with minor wording adjustments to clarify that the program applies to 'any intellectual and developmental disability' rather than just 'intellectual and developmental disabilities,' and to emphasize 'safe interactions' in the envelope instructions.

Scope change

The scope of eligible individuals was slightly broadened to include 'any intellectual and developmental disability' instead of the plural form, ensuring the program covers all such conditions without ambiguity.

ELIGIBILITY

Changed the eligibility criteria from 'intellectual and developmental disabilities' to 'any intellectual and developmental disability' to ensure broader and clearer coverage of all qualifying conditions.

REQUIREMENT

Updated the envelope requirements to explicitly mention ensuring 'safe interactions with law enforcement' alongside communication and stress reduction.

TECHNICAL

Added standard enrolled bill certification text, including signatures for the Clerks of the House and Senate, the Speaker, the President of the Senate, and the Governor, along with the effective date clause.

Removed the 'Engrossed Committee Substitute' header and the list of sponsoring delegates, as these are no longer needed in the final enrolled version.

ENFORCEMENT

Slightly rephrased the liability exception clause to state that immunity does not apply 'unless it is alleged and proven that the information disclosed was false,' clarifying the burden of proof.

Introduced Version → Engrossed Committee Substitute · 6 edits · Mar 13, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was significantly rewritten to expand its scope from a simple distribution program to a comprehensive framework involving the West Virginia State Police. The new version adds specific requirements for envelope design, establishes strict privacy rules prohibiting the collection of driver data, and provides legal immunity for law enforcement acting in good faith.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a program administered by the Division of Motor Vehicles to a State Police-led initiative that includes detailed design standards for the envelopes, mandatory distribution locations, and explicit prohibitions on data collection and verification of envelope contents.

REQUIREMENT

Added detailed requirements for the blue envelope, including specific text for law enforcement interaction tips, space for driver communication needs, and instructions to place registration and insurance inside.

Added a prohibition requiring the State Police to collect or store any identifying information about individuals who request or receive the envelopes.

Changed the responsible agency from the Division of Motor Vehicles to the West Virginia State Police for developing, printing, and distributing the program materials.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a new section stating that the State Police are not required to verify the information written on the envelope.

Added a new section providing civil and criminal immunity to any person or entity acting in good faith under the provisions of the article.

TIMELINE

Changed the program start date from January 1, 2027, to January 1, 2026, and added a deadline for the State Police to develop the program by January 1, 2027.

To establish the blue envelope program.

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