Bills of Congress by U.S. Congress

H.R.2110 - Safe Vehicle Access for Survivors Act (119th Congress)

Summary

H.R.2110, the Safe Vehicle Access for Survivors Act, aims to establish a process for survivors of abuse to request the termination or disabling of connected vehicle services that abusers misuse. The bill defines key terms such as 'abuser,' 'connected vehicle service,' and 'survivor,' and outlines the responsibilities of covered providers (motor vehicle manufacturers or affiliates) in responding to such requests. It mandates that covered providers take action within two business days of receiving a valid request, including terminating or disabling the abuser's access to the connected vehicle service.

Expected Effects

The bill will likely increase the safety and privacy of survivors of domestic abuse, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and sex trafficking by preventing abusers from using connected vehicle services to track, harass, or control them. It also sets requirements for consumer notices and provides liability protection for covered providers who comply with the Act. The FCC, in consultation with the NHTSA, is required to issue rules to implement the act.

Potential Benefits

  • Enhanced safety and privacy for survivors of abuse.
  • Establishes a clear process for terminating or disabling abusers' access to connected vehicle services.
  • Provides legal protection for covered providers who comply with the Act.
  • Requires covered providers to treat survivors' information confidentially and securely.
  • Mandates consumer notices to inform survivors about their rights and options.

Potential Disadvantages

  • Potential for misuse of the process by individuals making false claims.
  • Possible technical challenges for covered providers in implementing the required changes.
  • Potential costs for covered providers to implement the requirements of the Act, which may be passed on to consumers.
  • The act preempts state laws related to the provisions of the act, which may limit the flexibility of states to address this issue in a way that is tailored to their specific needs.
  • The definition of "covered act" relies on existing laws, which may not cover all forms of abuse.

Constitutional Alignment

The bill appears to align with the Constitution by promoting the general welfare and ensuring domestic tranquility, as stated in the Preamble. It does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights. The Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8) provides Congress with the power to regulate interstate commerce, which could be used to justify federal regulation of connected vehicle services.

Impact Assessment: Things You Care About

This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).