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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | February 6, 2013 11:55 AM |
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| From: | Representative Vanessa Lowery Brown |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | KELSEY SMITH ACT: LOCATING VICTIMS USING WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY |
| In the near future, I will be introducing legislation that will amend Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to assist law enforcement officials in locating a missing person believed to be the victim of a crime. The “Kelsey Smith Act” is named after an 18-year old Kansas woman who was abducted, sexually assaulted, and murdered in 2007. The tragedy resulted in a nationwide movement by her parents, Greg and Missey Smith, and other advocates to ensure that law enforcement authorities can receive assistance from a cell phone provider to help find the missing person. In Kelsey Smith’s case, nearby surveillance video showed there was reason to believe she been abducted, but since she did not dial 911, her location was not released by her cell phone provider despite pleas from her family and law enforcement officials. After four days, technology that could pinpoint the location of her cell phone was utilized, and sadly, within 45 minutes her lifeless body was recovered. The first 24 hours in cases of abduction are critical. This legislation ensures that there are no legal obstacles that bar police from getting the information they need when there is risk of death or serious injury. My bill would allow Pennsylvania to follow in the footsteps of other states such Hawaii, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, New Hampshire, and Tennessee that have enacted the Kelsey Smith Act. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation. If you should have any questions or concerns regarding this legislation, please contact Mr. Brandon J. Flood at (717) 772-6955 or bflood@pahouse.net. |
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| View Attachment | ||
Introduced as HB824