ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The Florida State Legislature is debating whether to implement a voluntary statewide ID card for people with mental disabilities.
The card would allow law enforcement to have a better understanding of how to handle people who might become scared or even act violently when dealing with officers.
The card would have the letter 'D' on it and would link to a database for officers to access a patient's medical history.
"For a lot of ours it's invisible until you start interacting and try social interaction with them," mental health expert Terri Daly said.
The Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at the University of Central Florida already issues its own card, which tells the officer the person invokes all their legal rights.
Raw: Woman talks about her son and the special ID
Clients like Genio Laborde, who has Asperger's syndrome, has some difficulty communicating and said others might lash out in frustration.
"Then they're going to exhibit behaviors that are not generally appropriate to a police officer and of course that would escalate it," Laborde said.
Laborde said it could escalate to physical violence.
Kissimmee Police Chief Lee Massie said he wants the card in place because it would alleviate confusion.
"A lot of their behavior may resemble someone who is intoxicated. And we know now that it is a medical issue," Massie said.
Genio's mother said she would get the card for her son, saying despite his ability to deal with most situations, he could still use the help the card would offer.
"For me as a parent, it would give me peace of mind," Maria Laborde said.
Law enforcement officers across the state are offered special training on how to deal with individuals who have mental disabilities as part of a 40-hour session that covers mental health.
Departments in central Florida are working to have at least one or two officer per shift who have the special training.