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S 2348

An Act facilitating better interactions between police officers and persons with autism spectrum disorder

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Brady and 18 co-sponsors

Massachusetts bill mandates police training on autism spectrum disorder to improve officer responses and reduce harmful outcomes during law enforcement interactions with autistic individuals.

New draft substituted, see S2558
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Bill Summary · S 2348

Legislative bill overview

S 2348 requires Massachusetts law enforcement to implement training programs and protocols for officers interacting with individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The bill mandates that police develop educational curricula, establish communication guidelines, and create de-escalation strategies specifically designed for neurodivergent individuals to reduce miscommunication and harmful outcomes during police encounters.

Why is this important

Autistic individuals experience disproportionate rates of police contact and negative outcomes, including higher likelihood of arrest, injury, or death during encounters due to officers misinterpreting stimming behaviors, communication differences, or difficulty following rapid verbal instructions. Implementing ASD-informed training can reduce these disparities by helping officers recognize autism-related traits and respond appropriately, potentially preventing tragic incidents and improving public safety for a vulnerable population.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs and burden: Training mandates require significant resource allocation for curriculum development, officer training time, and ongoing education—expenses that may strain municipal police budgets, particularly in smaller departments
  • Training effectiveness and standardization: Questions remain about what constitutes effective ASD training, how to measure outcomes, and whether standardized statewide protocols can account for individual variation in autistic presentation
  • Scope of police responsibility: Debate over whether law enforcement should bear primary responsibility for managing public health/disability issues versus whether resources should fund community-based crisis response teams or mental health professionals as alternatives

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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