State Rep. Nnamdi Chukwuocha (D-Wilmington) introduced bipartisan legislation this week that holds the promise of reducing misunderstandings between police and people with nonapparent disabilities.
House Bill 280 (click here to view bill), also known as “Eric’s ID Law,” is being advocated by Eric Carpenter-Grantham, who is autistic, and his mother, Linda Carpenter-Grantham. The measure would establish a voluntary option allowing Delawareans to display a butterfly symbol on their driver’s licenses or identification cards. The designation would indicate to police that they are dealing with a person with an intellectual or developmental disability who may have impaired communication skills and require special attention.
Under the proposal, which is co-sponsored by State Rep. Kevin Hensley (R-Townsend, Odessa, Port Penn), police training would be amended to include instruction on recognizing the symbol and on best practices for safe and effective interactions during traffic stops and other encounters.
The bill is based on a Maryland law, which became the first state to enact the statute last October.
The legislation is pending action in the House Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee.
