Walden: House panel backs 2 bills to speed emergency help
A panel chaired by Rep. Greg Walden , R-Ore., approved Tuesday the Kelsey Smith Act and Kari’s Law, two proposals in Congress that he said would help ensure law enforcement can help victims faster in an emergency .
The Kelsey Smith Act, which is modeled after a 2014 law passed in Oregon, would require cellphone providers to give law enforcement timely access to location information that can help pinpoint a missing victim. Kari’s Law would make it easier to directly dial 911 from a hotel or business line.
“Imagine that your child has gone missing and is unable to be found. They’re carrying a phone that has the potential of giving the police their location, but that information remains locked up behind a bureaucracy at the wireless provider,” Walden said.
“Or picture trying to frantically dial 911 for help in an emergency , but you’re slowed down by having to dial to get to an outside line.
“Both the Kelsey Smith Act and Kari’s Law would make sure no family has to go through situations like that ever again by simply giving law enforcement the tools they need to help when time is precious. These proposals would save lives using existing technology and don’t cost taxpayers a dime,” Walden said.
“Importantly, the Kelsey Smith Act is already law in 22 states, including Oregon where it passed in 2014. The federal bill mirrors much of the language in the Oregon bill, giving law enforcement the ability to act quickly when every second counts, but only in narrow circumstances of a true emergency .
“This bill passed unanimously through both the Oregon House and Senate, and was signed into law by a Democratic governor – demonstrating that this isn’t a partisan issue, but just good policy.”
The Kelsey Smith Act is named after an 18-year old Kansas woman who was abducted and murdered in 2007.
After Kelsey Smith’s car was found in a nearby parking lot, police began an urgent search for her. They were unsuccessful for four days until her cell phone’s location information was turned over to law enforcement. Kelsey was then found in about 45 minutes.
Prior to the hearing, Walden met with Kelsey Smith’s parents Greg and Missey Smith last week to hear their story in person.
Kari’s Law is named after Kari Dunn, a Texas mother who was murdered by her estranged husband in a hotel room in 2013. Kari Dunn’s 9-year-old daughter tried to call 911 from the hotel phone, but did not realize she had to dial ‘9′ get an outside line.
Both bills were unanimously approved by the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, which is chaired by Walden . The next step is a vote before the full Energy and Commerce Committee. Walden met with the parents of both victims last week when they testified before the panel.
