Hidden No More: Butterflies Maryland on Licenses, ID Cards Alert Police to Hidden Disabilities

MD IDs Gain Butterfly for Hidden Disabilities

Maryland transportation officials, lawmakers and advocates unveiled a new optional butterfly symbol for driver’s licenses, identification cards and moped permits on October 1, 2025, to alert first responders to hidden disabilities. The initiative, enacted through House Bill 707 and Senate Bill 618, allows residents with developmental or intellectual disabilities to add the designation at no cost, aiming to facilitate better interactions during e…

Marylanders with hidden disabilities can now get this symbol on IDs, licenses

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities now have the option to get a special symbol on their Maryland ID cards or driver’s licenses. It’s part of an effort to improve their interactions with police and first responders who might not immediately realize they have challenges communicating. Eric Carpenter-Grantham, a Silver Spring man who has autism, championed the idea and designed a prototype of a Maryland driver’s license with a …

Hidden no more: Butterflies Maryland on licenses, ID cards alert police to hidden disabilities

“Eric’s ID Law” took effect Wednesday in Maryland that will require training for police to recognize intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Hidden no more: Butterflies on licenses, ID cards alert police to hidden disabilities

Eric Carpenter-Grantham stares at a replica of a new Maryland driver's license with his picture and a butterfly symbol that represents a hidden disability. "Eric's ID Law," named for Carpenter-Grantham, took effect Oct. 1. (Photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters)Several people showed up at Motor Vehicle Administration offices Wednesday to get new identification cards with a special butterfly logo, but it’s hardly surprising that the first one…

Maryland residents with non-apparent disabilities get butterfly ID marker

Under Eric’s ID law, people with autism and other non-apparent disabilities can obtain a state-issued ID that is meant to alert law enforcement officers of their condition.