Safe Vehicle Access for Survivors Act

Bill Number

H.R. 2110

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Science, Technology, Communications

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-02-10: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.

Last Updated

2026-03-27T08:06:49Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The Safe Vehicle Access for Survivors Act (H.R. 2110) aims to protect survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, sex trafficking, or similar acts by creating a federal process for them to request that vehicle manufacturers or their affiliates terminate or disable an abuser's remote access to connected vehicle services. These services allow remote monitoring or control of a vehicle via apps or computers, which abusers might misuse to track or harass survivors. The bill seeks to enhance survivor safety without requiring a criminal conviction.

Key Provisions

• Definitions: Establishes terms like "abuser" (person identified by survivor as committing a "covered act" such as domestic violence or stalking), "connected vehicle service" (remote data access or commands to a vehicle), "covered provider" (vehicle manufacturers or affiliates offering these services), "survivor" (adult victim of a covered act), and "emergency situation" (imminent threat of harm).
• Protections for Survivors (Section 3): Within 2 business days of a valid request, providers must terminate or disable the abuser's account access, reset vehicle data/connections, provide re-setup instructions to the survivor, or inform them of in-vehicle shutdown options. Providers cannot charge fees, require abuser approval, or impose other barriers. They must deny abusers access to post-termination data and delay notifying abusers (at least 3 days after survivor notification) to prevent retaliation.
• Request Process (Section 4): Survivors submit requests with the vehicle's ID number, abuser's name, and proof of sole ownership, exclusive possession (e.g., court order), or a restraining order/divorce decree granting vehicle control. Providers must treat submissions confidentially, dispose of info within 90 days, and not share without consent. Providers can act faster in emergencies and must minimize retained data.
• Consumer Notices (Section 5): Providers must post clear online info on making requests, send confirmation emails with reference numbers, alert survivors on outcomes, guide them on new account setup, and offer opt-out/alternative contact if email access is unsafe.
• Liability Protection (Section 6): Shields providers, employees, and agents from lawsuits for good-faith compliance or non-compliance.
• Effective Date (Section 7): Voluntary compliance starts on enactment; mandatory within 180 days.
• Preemption (Section 8): Overrides conflicting state or local laws to ensure uniform national rules.
• Rulemaking (Section 9): Federal Communications Commission (FCC), with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) input, must propose rules within 180 days and finalize within 2 years on handling requests, confidentiality, data removal, and user notifications about privacy controls.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces new federal requirements, as no prior U.S. law specifically mandates vehicle providers to disable abuser access to connected services upon survivor request. It builds on existing violence prevention laws (e.g., Violence Against Women Act) by extending protections to emerging vehicle technologies but does not amend those statutes directly. It preempts state variations, creating a consistent national framework, and adds liability immunity not previously available for such actions.

Potential Impacts

• On Citizens: Empowers adult survivors (18+) of abuse by quickly limiting abusers' remote vehicle tracking/control, potentially reducing risks of stalking or harm. It promotes privacy without needing court convictions but requires proof of vehicle possession/ownership.
• On Government Agencies: FCC and NHTSA gain rulemaking duties to implement and oversee compliance, increasing their role in vehicle tech regulation. No direct funding or new agency creation is specified.
• On Businesses/Providers: Vehicle manufacturers (e.g., via apps like OnStar) must update systems for rapid response, confidentiality, and notifications, potentially raising operational costs but offering legal protections.
• On International Relations: No apparent impact, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. vehicle services and providers.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Survivors: Primary beneficiaries, gaining tools to reclaim vehicle control and privacy.
• Abusers: Face restricted access to vehicle data/services, though they retain ownership rights unless court-ordered otherwise.
• Covered Providers: Auto manufacturers, affiliates, and service entities (e.g., GM, Ford) must comply with timelines and processes, affecting their customer service operations.
• Government and Advocates: FCC/NHTSA handle enforcement; domestic violence support groups may assist survivors in requests.
• Vehicle Owners/Users: Broader users learn about privacy options via required notices, potentially increasing awareness of data access risks.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Establishes a low-barrier process (no conviction needed) for privacy protections, emphasizing data minimization and confidentiality to align with federal privacy trends. Liability shields encourage compliance but could limit survivor recourse if errors occur. Preemption ensures nationwide consistency but may challenge state-specific abuse laws.
• Constitutional: Supports privacy rights under the Fourth Amendment by curbing unauthorized tracking, without infringing on due process (abusers get delayed notice post-action). No free speech or equal protection issues evident.
• Political: Advances bipartisan support for violence prevention (introduced by diverse sponsors), highlighting tech's role in abuse amid rising connected vehicle adoption. Could spark debates on federal overreach into auto industry privacy vs. survivor safety priorities.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]

Cosponsors (27)

Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2], Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50], Rep. Friedman, Laura [D-CA-30], Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8], Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Norcross, Donald [D-NJ-1], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2]

Recent Actions

• 2026-02-10: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
• 2026-02-10: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
• 2025-03-14: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade.
• 2025-03-14: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-03-14: Introduced in House
• 2025-03-14: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Safe Vehicle Access for Survivors Act — issued 2025-03-14 — PDF (15 pages)