Maryland Bill Creates Self-Advocates Alliance with Police

Photo: Maryland Governor Larry Hogan

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan recently signed House Bill 1161 into law, which requires that self-advocates serve as educators in the training of police officers. The bill is titled Ethan Saylor Alliance for Self-Advocates as Educators. It is title is to honor Ethan Saylor, a 26 year old person with a disability who died in police custody in January 2013. The bill will go into effect on July 1, 2015; Maryland is the only state in the country that has such a bill. 

One preamble of the bill reads, “True inclusion of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, so that the individuals feel welcomed and accepted in their communities, starts with self–advocates having the central role in educating persons that interact with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.” 

---

Patti Saylor, Ethan’s mother, was quoted by WUSA9, “its essence is to recognize that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities should be at the table for anything we discuss." She goes on to add, "Self advocates have a voice and we need to listen to them. It's their life."