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Committee approves autism alert license plate and first‑responder training requirement
Summary
H.3285 would expand an existing autism awareness license plate program and require training for law enforcement, EMS and firefighters to improve responses when first responders encounter autistic individuals; the committee approved the bill by roll call.
The Judiciary Committee gave H.3285 a favorable report after sponsors said the bill would pair an existing autism awareness license plate with required training for first responders.
Representative Britton, presenting the committee report, said last year’s legislation created a design for a license plate that lets EMTs, police and other first responders recognize that an autistic person may be in a vehicle; H.3285 adds training requirements for law enforcement and emergency medical technicians. Britton said the bill does not mandate a specific curriculum but places the training under the Criminal Justice Academy for law enforcement and under the Department of Health for EMTs.
Representative Landing, the bill’s primary sponsor, described testimony from law enforcement and advocacy groups supporting statewide training. Landing said the training is intended to protect both autistic individuals — who may be nonverbal or act in ways first responders do not expect — and first responders who could benefit from awareness of typical autism-related behaviors.
The committee approved H.3285 by roll call: 23 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 not voting. The bill advances to the full House for consideration.
