Vehicle Location Assistance for Law Enforcement Act of 2026
The Issue
Modern vehicles are increasingly equipped with built-in location tracking technology. However, in many cases, law enforcement agencies cannot access this technology during emergencies unless the vehicle owner maintains an active paid subscription.
When a vehicle is stolen or used in a kidnapping, minutes matter. Delays in accessing tracking data can result in serious injury or death.
Traffic safety is a foundational pillar of public safety. Vehicle thefts, carjackings, and abductions are not just property crimes — they are frequently violent offenses that place victims and the public at immediate risk.
The Problem in Practice
In 2023, during a violent carjacking, a pregnant mother was attacked in her driveway while her child remained strapped in a car seat inside the stolen vehicle. When law enforcement contacted the vehicle manufacturer to activate tracking:
The owner’s free trial subscription had expired
The company required payment to reactivate the service
The request was made despite clear notification that a child was in imminent danger
Law enforcement ultimately paid the subscription fee and recovered the child and vehicle shortly thereafter.
No emergency response should be delayed by a subscription barrier when lives are at stake.
Scope of the Issue
According to FBI Uniform Crime Statistics (last five years):
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2.8 million+ vehicles reported stolen nationwide
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175,000+ kidnappings and abductions reported
Many of these incidents involve:
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Vehicular hijackings
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Child abductions
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Parental or spousal abductions
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Homicides
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Missing persons with life-threatening medical conditions
Meanwhile, most newly manufactured vehicles already contain factory-installed tracking technology. Some manufacturers also have the capability to remotely disable vehicles once stopped, reducing dangerous high-speed pursuits.
The technology exists — access during emergencies does not.
What the Vehicle Location Assistance for Law Enforcement Act of 2026 Does
This federal legislation would:
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Require manufacturers with built-in vehicle tracking systems to provide immediate access to law enforcement during qualifying emergencies
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Apply only in cases involving a clear and present danger of death or serious bodily harm
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Remove subscription barriers during emergency investigations
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Require a 24-hour contact system for law enforcement access
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Utilize existing technology — no new mandates for additional hardware
Public Safety Benefits
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Faster recovery of abducted children
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Reduced risk of high-speed pursuits
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Improved resolution of violent crimes
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Enhanced traffic safety and community protection
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National consistency across states
This legislation aligns with Safe Systems principles by reducing risk exposure, preventing secondary harm, and leveraging existing safety technology to protect human life.
Illinois Model (625 ILCS 5/4-111)
Following the 2023 incident, Illinois enacted legislation requiring:
Immediate access to vehicle tracking information for law enforcement.
Applicability only when investigating vehicular hijacking or kidnapping
A “clear and present danger” standard involving death or great bodily harm
A 24/7/365 law enforcement contact method maintained by manufacturers
Help us get our bill into Congress.
We are looking for support and organizations that can advocate to promote this bill.
Read a draft of our proposed bill
