
Bossier Sheriff Detective Kelly Downey was instrumental in the passage of House Bill 74, which was signed into law on Tuesday after unanimous approval. Downey says the law offers critical legal protections for survivors of domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking by requiring car manufacturers to disable remote access technology, such as tracking and control features, within two days of receiving a certified protective or restraining order.
“Any of the email addresses or anything that’s logged into that VIN that would be severed, and so it would not allow an offender to be able to abuse, harass, assault, stalk, follow, track, or monitor.”
Downey collaborated closely with lawmakers and survivors, providing expert testimony and highlighting the risks posed by abuser-controlled vehicle systems, saying 80% of all domestic homicide victims were stalked.
“So, we had to get this stopped and this bill does it. It puts the car manufacturers into a position to where they are to enforces it, but it also kind of releases them from any liability from the registered owner, so it helps both sides.”
She expressed pride in helping craft legislation that empowers victims to reclaim safety and independence as they begin to heal from trauma.
“It’s been a very long process, but it’s been worth every step of the way to be able to give that road to other states to do the same.”
Survivors must either own the vehicle or have exclusive use granted by the court.
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