LaTurner Introduces the Kelsey Smith Act

Press Release

Congressman Jake LaTurner introduced H.R. 5655, the Kelsey Smith Act in the U.S. House of Representatives last week. This legislation, which has already passed in 30 states, would require wireless communication providers to provide cell phone data to law enforcement officials when responding to a call for emergency service or in an emergency situation that involves the risk of death or serious physical harm. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) is the lead sponsor of a companion bill in the U.S. Senate.

"The tragic abduction and murder of Kelsey Smith is heartbreaking and should never happen again. The bipartisan Kelsey Smith Act would ensure law enforcement officers have the resources they need from cell phone providers to locate missing or abducted children. The fear of legal liability should never stand in the way of rescuing a child from a life-threatening situation," said Rep. LaTurner (KS-02). "This commonsense legislation is already law in 30 states, and I am honored to lead the charge in the House of Representatives. I want to thank Greg and Missey Smith for their steadfast advocacy in fighting for these lifesaving measures."

"We would like to thank Congressman LaTurner and the entire Kansas delegation for their continued effort in passing HR5655 - Kelsey Smith Act. This life-saving legislation has now passed in 30 states and the Smiths look forward to working alongside Congressman LaTurner, just as former Senator Greg Smith did in the Kansas Senate," said Greg & Missey Smith.

"Kelsey Smith's tragic abduction sent shockwaves through the Overland Park community and the country," said Sen. Moran. "I appreciate Rep. LaTurner's leadership in introducing this legislation in the House, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation that would make certain our first responders have the tools they need to quickly locate people who have been abducted."

"The tragic loss of Kelsey Smith is still felt in our community, and my heart goes out to her family. This bill honors her legacy by ensuring that law enforcement have the tools to locate and rescue children in emergency situations," said Rep. Davids (KS-03). "I am proud to join my colleagues to introduce this commonsense law and help Kansas join the 30 other states who have taken steps to secure the safety of their citizens."

"In life or death situations it is paramount that our law enforcement officers have access to life-saving resources," said Rep. Mann (KS-01). "Kelsey Smith's tragic death is a reminder of how critical those first hours of an abduction are, and the significance for a communication provider to work swiftly with investigators to locate missing persons. Because of her parents' unwavering efforts, Kelsey's memory lives on -- fighting to protect other innocent lives."

"The Kelsey Smith Act is needed legislation to aid law enforcement as they work to protect Americans while also safeguarding against government overreach," said Rep. Estes (KS-04). "I know Kelsey's parents, and they've worked tirelessly to make sure other families across the country never have to experience the pain they've endured. Providing cellphone location data as fast as possible is critical to ensure law enforcement officials can rescue victims in imminent danger of death or severe harm when every second counts."

On June 2, 2007, Kelsey Smith was abducted in broad daylight from an Overland Park, Kansas department store and murdered. The abduction was captured on the store's security camera, leaving little doubt of the emergency nature of the circumstances. Four days after she disappeared, authorities were able to locate Kelsey's body after her wireless provider released call information from her cell phone. With this legislation, cell phone providers must give this information to law enforcement as fast as possible to ensure law enforcement officials can rescue victims in an emergency or life-threatening situation.

The Kelsey Smith Act makes certain that a professional law enforcement official in the field, not a phone company, is able to determine if your loved one is in an emergency situation. The privacy of every Kansan and American is important and this legislation strikes the appropriate balance between the ability of law enforcement to help individuals in grave danger, while also ensuring the proper checks are in place to guard against government overreach.

Original Cosponsors: Reps. Davids (D-KS), Estes (R-KS), and Mann (R-KS)