Individuals with autism are more likely to interact with the criminal justice system, often due to challenges with communication and social cues. The Autism Society of Maryland is advocating for legislation to ensure fair treatment and appropriate support.
The Autism Society of Maryland, the Autism Society of Baltimore Chesapeake, and the Autism Society of America worked with Delegate Aaron Kaufman to introduce two critical bills:
HB 703/SB 507 ensures that an autism diagnosis is considered at every step of the legal process and allows expert testimony on how autism impacts individuals.
HB 940 allows individuals with autism to be offered probation before judgment, providing access to community-based support and programming instead of incarceration.
Thank you, Delegate Aaron Kaufman, for championing these efforts, and Elizabeth Worthington for highlighting this critical issue. Together, we can create a justice system that better understands and supports the autism community.
Take action now! Use this action alert to message your Delegates and Senators, urging them to support these important bills: https://www.votervoice.net/AutismSociety/Campaigns/122090/Respond
