WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will hold a markup of the Kelsey Smith Act, a bill introduced by U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) to aid law enforcement’s response to emergencies when a person’s life is threatened. The markup will take place on Wednesday, June 29, 2016, at 10:00 am Eastern.
Senator Roberts applauded the committee’s decision to markup the bill saying, “I thank Chairman Thune for holding a markup of this important bill, which has already saved many lives in the 22 states where it is already law. It is past time we make sure all Americans have the same protections provided by the Kelsey Smith Act.”
“Sadly, research has shown that 76 percent of abducted children who are killed are dead within three hours of being taken. This bill helps prevent another tragedy like Kelsey’s by providing industry and law enforcement with the necessary tools to work together to find a loved one in danger when every minute counts, while also ensuring that citizens’ Fourth Amendment rights remain protected.”
Roberts introduced the Senate version of the bill in April. For full text of the bill, go here.
The Kelsey Smith Act honors the memory of 18-year-old Kelsey Smith who was abducted in broad daylight from an Overland Park, Kansas, department store and murdered. Four days after she disappeared, authorities were able to locate Kelsey’s body after her wireless provider released the location information from her cell phone. Providing this information as fast as possible is critical to ensure law enforcement officials can rescue victims in imminent danger of death or serious physical harm.
The Kelsey Smith Act is cosponsored in the Senate by Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.). Representative Kevin Yoder (R-Kan.) introduced this legislation in the House earlier this year.
Greg and Missey Smith, Kelsey’s parents, testified on behalf of the bill in April at a hearing of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.