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.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Tim Ackert and 8 co-sponsors

Creates yellow envelopes to help first responders quickly learn essential information from people with cognitive or physical disabilities, improving safety and communication.

FILE NO. 562

Purpose

HB 7159 proposes a program to create and promote the use of "yellow envelopes" intended to improve communication and accommodation between first responders and people with cognitive impairments or physical disabilities. The bill also directs efforts to increase awareness among first responders of existing "blue envelope" programs and the new yellow envelopes so emergency personnel can better identify and assist vulnerable individuals during emergencies.

Key provisions (as reflected in the bill title and subjects)

Establishes a yellow envelope initiative designed to help persons with cognitive or physical disabilities communicate important information to first responders.

Requires outreach/awareness activities so law enforcement, fire departments, emergency medical services, and other first responders recognize and respond appropriately to both blue and yellow envelopes.

Involves coordination with relevant state agencies and entities (suggested by bill subjects): Department of Emergency Services/Public Protection, Motor Vehicle Department, local police and fire departments, emergency medical responders, and training programs for first responders.

Anticipates inclusion of these envelopes or associated materials in existing public-facing touchpoints (for example: driver services, health and aging services, disability support organizations), though the bill text would specify the exact distribution and content requirements.

Who would be affected

Primary: People with cognitive impairments (e.g., dementia, intellectual disabilities) and people with physical disabilities who might have difficulty communicating during emergencies, and their caregivers.

Secondary: First responders — police, firefighters, EMTs, dispatchers — who would receive training or awareness information about the envelopes.

Administrative: State and local agencies responsible for emergency response, training, and public outreach; potential involvement of the Commission on Equity and Opportunity and public health/aging services.

Procedural status and timeline

Introduced: March 5, 2025

Public hearing: March 10, 2025

Joint Favorable Substitute: March 19, 2025

Filed with LCO: March 21, 2025

Referred for fiscal and research review: March 31, 2025

Reported out of committee and favorably reported: April 7, 2025

House Calendar Number: 351; File No. 562 (tabled for House calendar)

Fiscal and implementation notes

The bill was referred to the Office of Legislative Research and the Office of Fiscal Analysis; specific cost estimates or funding mechanisms are not included in the summary information provided. Final implementation details (contents of envelopes, distribution channels, training curriculum, and funding) would be found in the full bill text and committee analyses.

Potential impact

If enacted, HB 7159 would likely improve first-responder interactions with people who have communication or cognitive challenges by providing a standardized, recognizable mechanism (the yellow envelope) to convey critical information. Successful impact would depend on the program’s design, distribution strategy, and the extent of training/awareness efforts funded and implemented.

Bill