Congress·In Committee·H.R. 6947

SAFE Exit Act of 2026

House Panel Reviews SAFE Exit Act Requiring Manual Door Releases in All New Cars

Jan 6·View on Congress.gov·Read full text

Next up: A house committee

The SAFE Exit Act of 2026 is currently in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. A subcommittee sent the bill to the full committee on February 9, 2026, but no further action has occurred since that time. The bill is considered stalled because there has been no progress for four months.

Legislative Progress

House

Senate

President

Law

Key Points

Congress would require new cars with electronic door latches to also have a manual, power-free way to open each door from inside.
The Transportation Department would have 2 years after the law is enacted to write a final safety rule, including clear labels so people can find the manual release fast.
The rule would also need a way for emergency responders to get into the passenger area if the car loses electrical power.
If the rule is finalized, carmakers would have up to 2 more years to meet the new requirements in newly made vehicles.

TransportationConsumer ProtectionInfrastructure

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

How this policy affects specific groups of people

Positive Impacts(2)

Physical Disability

Helps

Sensory Disability

Helps

Milestones

3 milestones5 actions

Feb 10, 2026House

Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.

Feb 10, 2026House

Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Jan 6, 2026House

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Jan 6, 2026

Introduced in House

The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.

Jan 6, 2026House

Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade.

Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.

Related News

5 articles

Bloomberg·Feb 10

Auto Safety Bill Targeting Electric Doors Advances in US House

U.S. lawmakers advanced the SAFE Exit Act, which would require manual releases in new vehicles with electrically powered door handles. The bill aims to address safety concerns following incidents where occupants were trapped inside vehicles after electronic systems failed during crashes.

Center

CarPro·Jan 14

U.S. Rep. Proposes New Law For Car Door Handles

The SAFE Exit Act directs the NHTSA to establish standards ensuring vehicle doors can be opened easily from the inside and outside even when electrical systems are disabled. It requires a mechanical, power-independent release for every door along with standardized labeling.

Center

Military.com·Jan 13

Congressional SAFE Exit Act Could Make Electric Door Handles Safer

The bill would require NHTSA to establish guidelines for electric door handle operation and labeling. It specifically addresses concerns that manual overrides are often hidden or non-intuitive, making it difficult for passengers to escape during emergencies like vehicle fires.

Center

No votes or related bills recorded for this bill yet.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

SAFE Exit Act of 2026

Bill NumberHR 6947

Congress119th Congress

ChamberHouse of Representatives

Latest ActionForwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.

Data Sources

Congress.gov

Official legislative information

Read Full Bill Text

Sponsor

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.