Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Educates Public About Hidden Disabilities ID Program
WORCESTER COUNTY, Md. — Maryland House Bill 0707, also known as Eric’s Law, was passed in October. The law creates a new symbol on Maryland IDs that alerts law enforcement and emergency responders to hidden disabilities through a butterfly designation.
Worcester County Sheriff Matt Crisafulli said the law helps first responders identify people who may have hidden disabilities.
“It’s a law that helps first responders identify people that have hidden disabilities,” Crisafulli said. “They may be on the autism spectrum, they may have PTSD, or they may have intellectual disabilities.”
The butterfly indicator is completely voluntary, but Crisafulli said it helps deputies better assess situations.
“When we see the license and we see that butterfly, that’s an indicator that we may need to slow down, de-escalate, have a little more patience and understand that we may be dealing with someone who may be nonverbal,” he said.
Crisafulli said the designation helps deputies ask the right questions and better understand how to assist someone during an interaction. He added that community education is also an important part of the initiative.
“We’ll have stickers with the butterfly so the public realizes that’s what this symbol represents,” Crisafulli said. “It’s on Maryland driver’s licenses and identification cards. It’s about awareness and trying to educate as many residents and visitors as possible.”
He emphasized that the law’s benefits extend beyond law enforcement.
“It’s going to help everyone involved in these types of interactions,” Crisafulli said. “We’re not just talking about law enforcement. It could be an ambulance responding to a crash scene, a residence, or someone experiencing a critical incident.”
The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office is the first law enforcement agency in Maryland to launch a public education campaign about Eric’s Law, but Crisafulli said more awareness efforts are needed nationwide.
“I’m very proud that the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office is the first law enforcement organization in the state to undertake this campaign to educate the public,” he said. “I’m hoping other law enforcement organizations undertake the same initiative because everything is about awareness.”
He also encouraged other states to consider similar legislation.
“Make yourselves aware of this type of law, and I would implore other states to do the same under the direction of Mr. Eric Carpenter Grantham,” Crisafulli said. “He’s the young man who had the vision to do this to help his community.”
Crisafulli also reminded residents that the butterfly designation is optional. The absence of a butterfly symbol does not mean a person does not have a hidden disability.
The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office is inviting the public to learn more about the initiative at its booth on 16th Street during the Ocean City Air Show on June 13 and 14.
For more information on how Worcester County Sheriff’s Office is raising awareness, check out their Facebook.
