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To amend title 49, United States Code, to require each new motor vehicle to be equipped with a manual door release allowing timely exit regardless of failure of any electrical system, and for other purposes.
Summary
This bill would require all new motor vehicles with electronic door locks to have a manual backup release mechanism that works without electrical power. The Secretary of Transportation would have two years to establish safety standards and labeling requirements for these manual releases, which must be easy to find, intuitive to use, and readily accessible to occupants. The bill also requires manufacturers to provide a way for emergency responders to access the vehicle when its electrical system has failed. Vehicle manufacturers would have two years after the rule is issued to comply with the new standards.
AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill text — neutral, and may be imperfect. See the full text below for the exact wording.
Sponsor (1)
Money behind the sponsor
Top reported contributors to Robin L. Kelly’s campaign committee (2024 cycle) — who funds the bill’s sponsor, not a claim about this bill. Data from FEC.
- NULL $11,365
- CHATHAM BUSINESS ASSOCIATION $11,100
- SMITH DAWSON & ANDREWS $9,953
- VALENTINE AUSTRIACO AND BUESCHEL $9,200
- CHICAGO CRED $7,900
Organizations whose employees gave the most — itemized individual contributions grouped by the donor’s reported employer (FEC Schedule A). Full finance for Robin L. Kelly → · Outside spending →
Actions (5)
- Feb 10, 2026 Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote. · house
- Feb 10, 2026 Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held · house
- Jan 6, 2026 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. · house
- Jan 6, 2026 Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade. · house
- Jan 6, 2026 Introduced in House
More bills on these subjects (8)
Other bills that carry the most legislative subjects in common with this one (topical discovery — distinct from the procedural related bills above).
Similar bills (6)
Bills with similar text or summary — includes reintroductions across Congresses. Ranked by semantic similarity of the bill text (computed locally); a neutral discovery aid, not a claim the bills are duplicates.
Full text
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 6, 2026
Ms. Kelly of Illinois introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
A BILL
To amend title 49, United States Code, to require each new motor vehicle to be equipped with a manual door release allowing timely exit regardless of failure of any electrical system, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Securing Accessible Funtional Emergency Exit Act of 2026” or the “SAFE Exit Act of 2026”.
SEC. 2. VEHICLE STANDARD FOR MANUAL DOOR RELEASE.
(a) Manual Door Release.—Subchapter II of chapter 301 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: “Sec. 30130. Manual door release
“(a) In General.—Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary of Transportation shall issue a final rule amending Standard 206 to establish performance and labeling requirements for motor vehicles equipped with an electronic door latch system, including manufacture requirements for—
“(1) a power independent, easy-to-find manual release for each door providing occupant egress, which shall be intuitive to use and readily accessible for the occupant; and
“(2) means for emergency responder access to the occupant compartment when vehicle electrical power is lost.
“(b) Compliance Date.—The compliance date of the revised rule issued under subsection (a) shall be not later than 2 years after the date on which that rule is issued.
“(c) Definitions.—In this section:
“(1) Electronic door latch.—The term ‘electronic door latch’ means a door-locking or door-latching mechanism that relies on electrical power to release or secure a vehicle door.
“(2) Manual release.—The term ‘manual release’ means a mechanical device intended for occupant egress that directly disengages the door latch without electrical power.
“(3) Standard 206.—The term ‘Standard 206’ means Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 206, contained in section 571.206 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations.”.
(b) Clerical Amendment.—The table of sections for subchapter II of chapter 301 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
“Sec. 30130. Manual door release.”. <all>
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