Safe Vehicle Access for Survivors Act
Safe Vehicle Access for Survivors Act
Plain Language Summary
# Safe Vehicle Access for Survivors Act - Summary **What the bill does:** This legislation would require companies that provide connected vehicle services (like GPS tracking, remote access, and data monitoring through smartphone apps) to quickly disconnect domestic abusers from these features when a survivor requests it. If a provider receives a request from a domestic violence survivor, they would have two business days to either disable the abuser's access to the vehicle's connected services or provide instructions for the survivor to do it themselves. **Who it affects and key protections:** The bill primarily protects domestic violence survivors by preventing abusers from using vehicle technology to track or control them. It applies to companies offering connected vehicle services and includes important safeguards: providers cannot charge fees, require contract extensions, or impose other conditions before disconnecting an abuser's access.
The bill also recognizes that some disconnections may not be technically possible, allowing providers flexibility in those cases. **Current status:** The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on or passed by Congress. It was introduced by Representative Debbie Dingell (D-Michigan) and addresses the growing concern that modern vehicle technology—originally designed for convenience—can be misused as a tool for domestic abuse and control.
CRS Official Summary
Safe Vehicle Access for Survivors ActThis bill requires providers of connected vehicle services, upon the request of a domestic violence survivor, to terminate or disable an identified domestic abuser’s access to a vehicle’s connected capabilities and data.Specifically, within two business days of receiving a request from a survivor, a covered provider must, if technically feasible (1) terminate or disable the connected vehicle account associated with the identified abuser or the relevant vehicle, or the vehicle’s connected capabilities; or (2) instruct the survivor on how to terminate or disable connected services directly.Covered providers may not make the termination of connected vehicle services or accounts contingent on any requirement other than the provision of specified information by the survivor. For example, a provider may not require a survivor to pay a fee or extend their contract with the provider.Under the bill, an abuser is an individual identified by a survivor who committed or allegedly committed certain acts against the survivor, including domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and sex trafficking. A survivor is an adult against whom such an act was committed. Further, a covered provider is a vehicle manufacturer, affiliate, or entity acting on behalf of a manufacturer that provides a connected vehicle service. Connected vehicle service is any capability that enables a person to remotely access data from or send commands to a vehicle.Finally, the Federal Communications Commission must prescribe regulations governing how covered providers address survivors’ requests related to connected vehicles.
Latest Action
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.