H.R. 2110: Safe Vehicle Access for Survivors Act

The "Safe Vehicle Access for Survivors Act" seeks to provide a framework for individuals who have experienced abuse to request the disabling of connected vehicle services that may be misused by their abusers. Here is a breakdown of the main provisions of the bill:

Definitions

The bill defines several key terms:

• Abuser: An individual identified by a survivor as having committed acts of violence or abuse.
• Survivor: An individual aged 18 or over, against whom a covered act has been committed or allegedly committed.
• Connected vehicle service: Services allowing remote access to a vehicle’s data or commands, typically offered by vehicle manufacturers or their partners.
• Covered provider: Companies that provide connected vehicle services.

Protection of Survivors

The bill mandates that covered providers take specific actions upon receiving a connected vehicle service request from a survivor:

• Terminate or disable the abuser's access to connected vehicle services.
• Provide instructions for the survivor to re-establish access without the abuser.
• Inform the survivor about in-vehicle features that can help disable services directly.

Access to Account Data

When a request is made, the covered provider cannot allow the abuser to access any data generated after the request for service has been executed.

Limitations on Fees and Requirements

Covered providers cannot impose fees, require approvals from the abuser, or increase service rates when responding to these requests.

Notification Requirements

If a provider plans to notify the abuser about actions undertaken due to the request, they must first inform the survivor about the notification date.

Technical Feasibility

If a provider cannot comply with a request due to technical limitations, they must inform the survivor and suggest any possible remedies.

Connected Vehicle Service Requests

Survivors must provide specific information when making a service request, including:

• The vehicle identification number
• The name of the abuser
• Proof of ownership or legal possession of the vehicle

Providers are also required to keep this information confidential and dispose of it securely after 90 days.

Transparency and Guidance

Covered providers must maintain a user-friendly website to assist survivors in making service requests. This includes providing confirmation of the requests, further instructions, and options for maintaining privacy.

Liability Protection

The bill offers liability protection to covered providers against claims originating from actions taken to comply with the bill.

Implementation Timeline

Providers may start complying with the bill immediately after enactment and are required to fully comply within 180 days.

Effect on State Laws

This bill would preempt any state laws regarding the same matters it addresses.

Rulemaking Process

Federal regulatory bodies are tasked with issuing rules and guidelines within specific timeframes to ensure compliance with the provisions of the bill.

Relevant Companies

• FCAU - Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: As a major manufacturer of connected vehicles, FCAU may need to adjust its services to implement the requirements of this bill.
• GM - General Motors: GM will likely have to comply with new protocols for handling service requests from survivors, impacting their connected vehicle services.
• TSLA - Tesla, Inc.: Tesla's extensive connected vehicle services may require modifications to how they manage user accounts and data access for survivors of abuse.