CT HB06719

Three state departments must jointly develop guidelines and best practices by December 31, 2023, for municipalities to create emergency services awareness programming for children and adults with autism spectrum disorder, cognitive impairments, and nonverbal learning disorders, including interaction with uniformed personnel, vehicles, sirens, and mock traffic stops.

The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection must develop and assemble sensory kits by January 1, 2024, containing noise-canceling headphones, dark tinted glasses, and tactile objects to help individuals manage anxiety during interactions with emergency services personnel.

Municipalities that implement the awareness programming may apply by September 1, 2025, to receive sensory kits at a rate of three kits per ten thousand residents.

The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection must develop a form by December 31, 2023, for parents and guardians to complete with information about their child or adult with autism spectrum disorder, including communication abilities, sensory sensitivities, behaviors, medical information, and calming methods.

Municipal police departments must maintain searchable electronic databases of completed forms and make this information available to police officers and emergency dispatchers, who shall search the database when practicable before dispatching emergency services to residential addresses.