Suspending remote access to motor vehicles upon request from survivors of domestic abuse, human trafficking, and related acts

Under the bill, a “survivor” means an individual who is 18 years of age and either 1) against whom a covered act has been committed or allegedly committed or 2) who cares for another individual against whom a covered act has been committed or allegedly committed, provided that the individual providing care did not commit or allegedly commit the covered act. Under the bill, a “covered act” means conduct that constitutes domestic abuse, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking. A criminal conviction or any other determination of a court is not required for conduct to be a “covered act.” Under the bill, an “abuser” means an individual who committed or allegedly committed a covered act.

A remote access suspension request under the bill must verify that an individual who has remote access to a motor vehicle in the possession of the survivor has committed or allegedly committed a covered act against the survivor or an individual under the survivor's care by providing either 1) a signed affidavit from a licensed medical or mental health care provider, social worker, victim service provider, or employee of a court, or 2) a copy of a police report, statements provided by police, charging documents, protective or restraining orders, or another official record documenting the covered act.

Under the bill, a motor vehicle manufacturer may not make remote access suspension contingent on any other requirement other than those described above, including payment of a fee and approval of separation by a motor vehicle title holder who is not the survivor.