Sen. Jo Comerford Receives Award from Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts

BOSTON — State Sen. Jo Comerford was honored at the State House by Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts, receiving the 2024 Distinguished Legislator of the Year Award in recognition of her support of the disability community and her work to file and pass An Act Facilitating Better Interactions Between Police Officers and Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

“I am humbled and honored to receive this Distinguished Legislator of the Year Award from the Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts alongside passionate and committed colleagues, Representatives Sean Garballey and Kay Khan,” Comerford said. “I am deeply grateful for their partnership in tackling the challenges faced by people with autism-spectrum disorder and their families across the Commonwealth. I am proud to be part of a Legislature that is committed to supporting those living with disabilities, and I look forward to continuing our work to build an accessible, safe, and welcoming Commonwealth for all.”

Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts (AFAM) is a statewide organization that brings together people with autism-spectrum disorders, their families, and friends to build the capacity of communities across the Commonwealth to welcome, fully include, and support people with autism-spectrum disorders.

An Act Facilitating Better Interactions Between Police Officers and Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder, which passed the Senate unanimously, would create a voluntary blue envelope through the Registry of Motor Vehicles for drivers with autism-spectrum disorder. A driver’s license and registration can be placed inside the envelope, which can then be handed to a law-enforcement officer in the event of an accident or traffic stop, alerting the officer to the driver’s diagnosis. The envelope also includes information on best practices for communication.