Maryland is marking a milestone in inclusivity by offering a voluntary butterfly symbol on driver’s licenses and IDs, enabling residents to discreetly indicate hidden disabilities such as autism, PTSD, or hearing loss.

The effort, called Eric’s ID Law, was inspired by Silver Spring’s Eric Carpenter-Grantham and his mother, Linda, who advocated for safer, more respectful law enforcement interactions after the 2020 death of George Floyd.

With collaboration from Senator Will Smith and Delegate Jheanelle Wilkins, the law passed and takes effect October 1, 2025.

The butterfly symbol appears discreetly on IDs and is free, with no medical proof needed, and can be added or removed online or in person.

Meanwhile, crime in downtown Silver Spring dropped 7.6% over the last year, with no shootings and a notable dip in robberies, though youth crime remains a challenge.

A local resident also recently won $50,000 in Powerball, showing the ongoing vibrancy and resilience of the community.