Share:
House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 17, 2017 02:55 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Tina M. Davis |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Requesting Co-sponsorship: Smartphone “Kill-Switch” for Theft Protection |
| In the future will be re-introducing House Bill 1932 of the 2015-2016 Legislative Session. This legislation will establish the “Smartphone Theft Prevention Act” requiring smartphones sold in the Commonwealth to be equipped with a “kill-switch.” “Kill-switch” technology permits individuals to remotely erase all personal data from their smartphone, rendering it ineffectual if misplaced or stolen. Such measures aid in the prevention of violent crime often associated with the theft of smartphone devices. Furthermore, a “kill-switch” will assist in staunching the illicit activity often associated with the international market for stolen smartphones, often supported by organized crime groups. In 2015, the Washington Post reported that smartphone thefts in America dropped from 3.1 million (in 2013) to 2.1 million (in 2014). This reduction is attributed to kill-switch laws put in place in several states. Presently, the states of California and Minnesota have adopted laws requiring kill-switch technology. I believe my legislation will effectively address this problem and aid in keeping the citizens of this Commonwealth and their personal data safe. I ask for your support. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation. |
Introduced as HB576