In 2025, Maryland became the first U.S. state to feature a butterfly symbol on its driver’s licenses and ID cards to indicate a hidden disability. The voluntary mark, launched by the Maryland MVA on October 1, is intended to discreetly alert law enforcement and other officials that a cardholder may require additional communication support during high-stress interactions. While created for safety, this new symbol also introduces new considerations for businesses, retailers, and ID verification systems.
What the butterfly symbol means on Maryland IDs
The butterfly symbol is part of Eric’s Law (HB 707 / SB 618), named after Eric Carpenter-Grantham, a Maryland resident with high-functioning autism. Advocated for by his mother, the butterfly is meant to serve as a non-stigmatizing, optional indicator of a developmental or intellectual disability.
Key features of Maryland’s butterfly symbol include:
- It appears on the front of the ID, above the words “hidden disability.”
- It does not disclose the type of disability.
- It is voluntary, with no medical documentation required.
- It can be added or removed through myMVA or in person at no cost.
Law enforcement officers across Maryland are also undergoing specific training to correctly interpret the symbol and adjust their communication methods accordingly.
Other states with hidden disability identifiers
Maryland is part of a growing movement to support individuals with invisible disabilities through government-issued IDs. Other states offer similar programs, although they vary in design and eligibility requirements:
Alaska
Alaska offers an Invisible Disability Designator, using a small “i.”, however, unlike Maryland, it does require healthcare provider verification.
Colorado
Colorado implemented the same “i” symbol via the Disability Symbol Identification Document Act as Alaska and the state also requires healthcare provider documentation.
Utah
Utah Issues an Invisible Condition label on the ID and requires medical certification. Utah’s indication covers a wide range of conditions, from autism to heart disorders.
Maryland’s program stands out because it does not require medical proof, making it one of the most accessible symbolic disability identifiers in the country.
How this affects ID verification and fraud prevention
Although the butterfly symbol serves an accessibility purpose, it is also a visual marker on the card. As more ID designs incorporate visible indicators, businesses must ensure their ID scanners and identity verification software correctly read and authenticate new formats.
Some retailers and casinos rely solely on the barcode, but fraudulent IDs can replicate barcode data while altering visible symbols. This makes image-based ID authentication increasingly important.
How IDScan.net helps businesses validate IDs with disability indicators
IDScan.net’s Veriscan Identity Platform use AI-powered image analysis to inspect both machine-readable and visible ID elements, including new symbols like Maryland’s butterfly. The technology captures the front and back image of the ID, validates the barcode, microprint, holograms, and visible markers, and identifies discrepancies in symbol placement and design all in seconds.
In other words, IDScan.net doesn’t just read the data in the barcode, it also authenticates the physical card design to ensure compliance with state and federal designs, which helps protect businesses from sophisticated fake IDs that may include fraudulent disability indicators.
Conclusion
The butterfly symbol on Maryland IDs is more than an accessibility icon, it represents a growing trend of inclusive, identity-linked support for people with invisible disabilities. As these programs expand, AI-powered ID authentication will become essential to ensure both security and accommodation.
IDScan.net provides the technology to read and validate these evolving ID standards, keeping businesses compliant, secure, and compassionate in every identity check.
