Get Kelsey Smith Act Into Law In California

Above, Kelsey Smith.

A push to get the Kelsey Smith Act on the law books in all 50 states is now being undertaken by the Kelsey Smith Foundation and its supporters.

A few months ago, I tried to reach my state Assemblymember, Julia Brownley (D-Tarzana) to see if she would be willing to sponsor or co-sponsor the Kelsey Smith Act in California.

Unforunately, she had not responded to either my calls or emails. As one of her constituents, I find this lack of response insulting. Isn't Assemblywoman Brownley interested in aiding law enforcement in finding kidnap victims?

Accordingly, I am contacting a state senator in a neighboring district who has a good reputation for responses to see if he would sponsor or co-sponsor a bill.

The Kelsey Smith Act requires cell phone companies to fully cooperate with law enforcement in cases where an abduction has taken place and where the victim has a cell phone.

This legislation was prompted by the murder of Kelsey Smith in Kansas. The Kelsey Smith Act was signed into law by Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. The law requires cell phone companies to release “ping” information to police showing the whereabouts of missing persons.

After Kelsey went missing, her parents and law enforcement got the runaround from the Smith's cell phone company, Verizon, for days before the company released the so-called “ping” records. The police then used the information to quickly find Smith’s body (in about 45 minutes), four days after she was abducted and killed.

Maybe you could put a little fire under Assemblywoman Brownley's behind by calling her district office at (818) 596-4141, (310) 395-3414, or (805) 644-4141.