A new Maryland law adds a butterfly symbol, representing a person’s nonvisible disabilities, to driver’s licenses and other forms of identification.

The symbol is optional, and license and ID applicants can use it to signify deafness, autism or other disabilities not immediately apparent to police or others.

“If we [are] ever stopped by law enforcement, we can be safe. Eric’s ID law is to help police officers and the public better understand the needs of citizens with an invisible disability,” said Eric Carpenter-Grantham, the 20-year-old Montgomery College student who proposed the symbol and for whom the law is named, according to Maryland Matters.

In addition to the symbol, the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration is required under the law to display the words “hidden disability” under the butterfly, according to the outlet.

Adding or removing the symbol is free for existing ID and license holders, the state Motor Vehicles Administration said in a release.

People who want to get the butterfly symbol won’t need to provide documentation to support their claim of a nonvisible disability, the MVA said.

“Providing this hidden disability designation is an important step toward making Maryland roads and communities safer and more accessible for everyone. Not every disability is visible, and this is an easy, free way to communicate with residents and first responders,” acting Maryland Transportation Secretary Samantha Biddle said.

• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.