Florida bill increasing law enforcement’s awareness of people with disabilities spearheaded in Santa Rosa County

SANTA ROSA COUNTY, Fla. ( WKRG ) — Improving communication between law enforcement and some of the most vulnerable citizens is the SAFE Act’s goal.

The SAFE Act, Safeguarding American Families Everywhere, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis Monday, allows applicants of motor vehicle registration to indicate on their record if they have been diagnosed or are a parent or guardian of someone with a disability.

“Somebody inside of a vehicle may not respond as expected, and now this way our first responders will know,” Angela Nandin, Vice President of Emerald Coast Exceptional Families and the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office SAFE Liaison, said.

It’s a law that got its legs from leaders in Santa Rosa County.

Angela Nandin, a mother of three boys with autism, and Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson worked with lawmakers to get the bill off the ground.

Now that it’s signed, Nandin feels a sense of relief.

“I have the luxury of driving. That’s like the biggest takeaway from today. The air feels different today,” Nandin said. “I don’t have the luxury of driving in my car without fear or anxiety. What if I get into a car accident? What if something happens and I can’t be my children’s voice? This bill takes away that fear and anxiety.”

Sheriff Johnson said the bill went through on its first try without a ‘no’ vote from the Senate or the House.

“I think that definitely speaks to our legislatures and how they feel about the state of Florida and our most vulnerable citizens, the special needs families in Florida,” Sheriff Johnson said.

In 2022, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office launched its SAFE Program. The program allows residents to fill out a form to identify any special needs and they are then given a sticker for their car and homes so that deputies can be alerted.

Since its start, 264 people in the county have enrolled in the SAFE Program.

The Safe Act will take effect on October 1.

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