The Kansas Senate voted unanimously Tuesday in favor of the Senate Substitute for House Bill 2126, the Kelsey Smith Act. 

The bill would require wireless telecommunications companies to release the location information of a missing person’s cell phone in a timely manner to law enforcement in emergency situations.

Senator Pat Apple (R-Louisburg) carried the bill during the Senate debate.

“Kelsey Smith was kidnapped and brutally murdered on June 2007, her body was found four days later.  They worked for four days to have her phone location traced.  The wireless company did not respond,” Senator Apple said.  “Passage of the Kelsey Smith Act would ensure no other family would have to go through the pain of waiting that Kelsey’s family did.  It would send a message to the abductors that they will be found.  It would give Kansas law enforcement an important tool to help bring missing loved ones home safely and alive.”

However, Apple also added Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 48 to the Act.  The amendment would extend E-911 funding one year and establish a legislative task force to review current 911 communications system and Next Generation 911, an internet protocol.  

Rep. Rob Olson (R-Olathe) said he was pleased the Kansas Senate acted so quickly on its approval of Senate Substitute for House Bill 2126, the Kelsey Smith Act.

Olson first introduced the measure when he read of the difficulties faced by the Smiths and law enforcement in trying to gain the assistance of Verizon, the wireless carrier, immediately following Kelsey's disappearance in June 2007. It took four days for the company to respond to pleas. The teenager's body was found 45 minutes after Verizon finally gave up the information. She had been raped and murdered.

“We want to thank Rep. Olson for his tireless efforts to get Kelsey’s Law passed.  We would not be here if it weren’t for him,” said Missey and Greg Smith, Kelsey’s parents.

The bill returns to the Kansas House of Representatives for its consideration of the changes made by the Senate.

However Olson said he was concerned about the extra funding measures attached by Apple in the Senate.

“The changes raise concerns that other states won’t be able to duplicate the bill because it now has a fiscal note," Olson said in a statement.  "However, I have been assured the Senate will work to address any concerns the House has."

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