Sugar Land, TX (June 25, 2021) – Following the end of this year’s 87th Texas legislative session, Hope For Three Autism Advocates received approval for Texas’ first autism-related specialty license plate. The new plates are available for purchase from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles in September for $30 annually, or with five-letter customization for $70 annually.
“We are over the moon excited to see this come project come together,” said Darla Farmer, Hope For Three CEO. “We couldn’t have done this without community support like the unexpected $10,000 donation from Sienna Women’s League, a local volunteer group and community partner, which covers the expensive application fee. More so, we’re beyond thrilled knowing these plates will help save lives and expand autism awareness.”
House Bill 4080 received unanimous approval and goes into effect on September 1, 2021. The bill allows the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to issue specialty license plates to include “Autism Awareness.” “Specialty license plates are one-way Texans can educate others and support causes they care about most. Raising awareness about autism will promote greater opportunities for our fellow Texans on the autism spectrum, which is why I am proud to have signed legislation allowing the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to issue Autism Awareness specialty license plates,” stated Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott.
Furthering support for the nonprofit initiative and authoring the bill, Texas State Representative Jacey Jetton shared, “It was an honor to work with Hope For Three to pass HB 4080 to create a specialty license plate for Autism Awareness. The funds raised from this license plate will be used for autism awareness or support families living with autism. We are so fortunate to have a great organization, Hope For Three, providing these services in Fort Bend County.”
Hope For Three will receive a portion of proceeds from the sale of the specialty license plates. The organization plans to use these funds to provide resources to inquiring parties and support their various programs such as Family Assistance, Teen Huddle, It’s Cool to Care, and Crisis Intervention Training which has trained more than 2,000 members of law enforcement on engagement strategies to diffuse crisis situations for individuals affected by mental illness.
“The Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to help raise awareness of autism through our friends at Hope For Three. It is our honor to serve and protect families in our communities who bravely and lovingly face a lifelong journey with their children. All of our first responders are trained on how to identify and handle individuals with autism,” said Fort Bend County Sheriff Eric Fagan. “We honor our fellow Texans with autism, as well as their families, teachers, and health care providers who devote themselves daily to help those with their unique challenges.”
The kind, generous support of this statewide effort includes Texas State Senator Judith Zaffirini; Senator Zaffirini served as the organization’sSenate sponsor and ushered the bill through the Senate process. Freed Advertising created the beautiful, heartfelt generic license plate design to support autism awareness, Sugar Land Exchange Club, and The Arc of Fort Bend County.
To learn more about Hope For Three programs, resources, and events, visit www.hopeforthree.org. Plan to purchase your ‘autism awareness’ specialty license plate at www.myplates.com (click upper right blue button “View All Designs, and enter in the search box “autism.”). Hope For Three Autism Advocates. Serving as a Beacon of Hope Since 2011.
PHOTO CREDIT: MilkaGizele Marketing
Pictured: L to R, Darla Farmer CEO and Founder, Hope For Three Autism Advocates, and State Representative Jacey Jetton.
Texas State Representative Jacey Jetton stopped by the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office during the Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) session to lend his support and participation to introduce the first autism-related license plate in Texas. Rep. Jetton authored House Bill 4080 to create the specialty license plate for Autism Awareness. The bill overwhelmingly passed both the House and Senate. The plate is available for $30 annually on September 1, 2021, at myplates.com.