WORCESTER, Mass. - A bill set to be considered by the Massachusetts legislature would add new precautions to protect drivers with autism. 

Worcester resident Patrick McDonald has a son, 22-year-old Liam, who was autism. McDonald said his son has been driving for several years and he supports the bill to protect drivers like Liam.

“I think anything that helps makes those interactions safer is a good idea," McDonald said. "I think most police officers are doing the best they can. They obviously work a dangerous job."

The ‘blue envelope bill' would help officers identify drivers with autism. Sometimes, in high stress situations, like being in a car accident or getting pulled over, these drivers could behave in a way misinterpreted by police.

“He either shuts down or he gets angry and he’s angry at himself most of the time, but its hard," McDonald said of his son. "He’s bigger than I am."

The bill aims to prevent interactions from escalating. If passed, a driver could simply hand a blue envelope to an officer with information about their diagnosis and how they may react.

“They could reach in, get that registration and hand it to an officer, and in getting that registration to the officer, the officer would get a signal in Massachusetts - this person identifies on the autism spectrum and with that comes some specific suggestions for the officer," said state Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Hampshire, Franklin & Worcester. 

Comerford said this can help keep officers and drivers safe and it would offer a great deal of freedom and relief for drivers and their families.

“It’s a good idea," she said. "It's called for by families and individuals living with autism and it's wildly supported by the police."

McDonald said it's something his son would be interested in using.

“Usually, he is very resistant to the idea of letting anyone know he has autism," McDonald said. "He wants to keep that very close to the chest. I said, 'would you use that if you got pulled over?' and he said, 'maybe,' and that is like a ringing endorsement from him."

The bill is waiting to be heard in both the state House and the Senate. Some police departments in Massachusetts are already handing out their own version of the blue card to drivers with autism.