WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) today offered the Kelsey Smith Act as an amendment to S. 178, the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015, currently in front of the U.S. Senate.

The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act will provide law enforcement with the tools to crack down on human traffickers, while also helping victims restore their lives. Roberts’ amendment, the Kelsey Smith Act, would add to these tools by strengthening law enforcement’s ability to lawfully and quickly access cell phone location information, or “ping” information, when a person is abducted and their life is threatened.

“Protecting the lives of our children is the paramount concern for any parent. The Kelsey Smith Act is a commonsense amendment to the human trafficking legislation being debated in the Senate that will make it easier for law enforcement to find our children if the nightmare of abduction ever becomes a reality,” Senator Roberts said.

“Many victims of human trafficking are initially victims of kidnapping. Because wireless companies’ fear of legal liability is a legitimate concern, my amendment provides the industry and law enforcement with the necessary tools to work together to do everything they can to find a loved one in danger while, at the same time, ensuring that all citizens’ Fourth Amendment rights are protected.”

On June 2, 2007, 18-year-old 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 the “ping” or “call 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 amendment Senator Roberts introduced today will require wireless communication providers provide call location information to the requesting law enforcement agencies only when responding to a call for emergency services or in an emergency situation that involves the risk of death or serious physical harm. 

Senator Roberts introduced the Kelsey Smith Act into the 113^th Congress. The bill was cosponsored by U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, who has also co-sponsored the amendment this year. Congressman Kevin Yoder, the lead sponsor in the House, will soon reintroduce the bill in the 114^th Congress. Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins had introduced this legislation in the 112^th, and Congressmen Todd Tiahrt and Dennis Moore had introduced the Kelsey Smith Act in the 111^th Congress.

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