Min Bill to End Tech-Enabled Domestic Violence Heads to the Governor

(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Today, Senator Dave Min (D-Irvine) announced the Legislature’s passage of his Senate Bill (SB) 1394, which has Senator Angelique Ashby (D-Sacramento) and Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. (D-La Mesa) as joint coauthors. SB 1394 would establish a legal process for the rapid termination of a domestic abuser’s access to app-connected, remote, and GPS-based vehicle technology, addressing the growing problem of domestic violence abusers exploiting in-car location tracking to to stalk, harass, and intimidate survivors.

 “Tech-enabled domestic violence is on the rise in the digital era and it’s more important than ever that our laws keep up with the pace of digital technology. Under SB 1394, GPS-tracking will no longer be vulnerable to exploitation by domestic violence abusers,” said Senator Dave Min. “With a new restraining order process in place, car manufacturers will have no choice but to address this potentially fatal problem. I’d like to thank Senator Ashby, Assemblymember Weber, and the outstanding advocates throughout the survivor community for helping us advance the safety and privacy of DV survivors.”

“Safe vehicle access is a lifeline for domestic violence survivors, but technology is increasingly being weaponized as a tool of control and intimidation, empowering their abusers. This bill ensures that no one is forced to choose between their safety and their freedom.” said Senator Ashby, who also authors SB 1394. “It empowers victims by providing a critical layer of protection against their abusers and ensures that California law evolves alongside technological advancements – strengthening the safety and autonomy of those affected by domestic violence. SB 1394 takes an important step in addressing technology abuse, but much more work is needed across all innovation sectors to ensure that survivors of violence are protected and that their freedom does not become the collateral damage of technological advancement.”

“In recent years, we’ve heard several stories of domestic violence survivors not only being harassed and stalked through vehicle technology, but facing several challenges when attempting to block their abuser’s access to this technology,” said Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. “Because of these risks and hurdles, we know that some shelters have policies prohibiting survivors from parking their vehicles at the shelter, since it may compromise the safety of other survivors, as well as staff. SB 1394 creates a process to address this issue and is based on stories and feedback from real survivors – a process that can literally save lives.”

“Safe access to a vehicle can be a lifeline for an abuse survivor, but abusive partners are increasingly using remote vehicle technology to surveil, stalk, harass, and intimidate survivors,” states Professor Jane Stoever, Director of the UCI Law Domestic Violence Clinic, which co-sponsored SB 1394 on behalf of clients. "The protections in SB 1394 are not merely about emerging technology, but provide safety, privacy, and the right to live – and drive – free from fear. A strong coalition of domestic violence advocates, privacy and technology organizations, and vehicle manufacturers were instrumental to the passage of SB 1394, and we look forward to the Governor's signature of this important bill."

"This bill represents a significant step forward to protect and enhance consumer privacy, particularly for domestic violence survivors," said Robert Herrell, Executive Director of the Consumer Federation of California, a co-sponsor of the bill. "The Consumer Federation of California thanks the authors and stakeholders for working on this critical issue. California will lead the way if this becomes law and we urge Governor Newsom to sign this groundbreaking measure."

Should the Governor sign SB 1394 into law, car manufacturers would be required to disable an abuser’s access to connected vehicle service within 2 business days of receiving a request from a survivor. Documentation, such as proof of legal possession of the vehicle or a domestic violence restraining order (DVRO) that awards vehicular possession would be enough to sever digital access with their abuser, even if they hold a joint title.

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