State Representative Joe Atkins

503 State Office Building

100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

651-296-4192

For Immediate Release

For more information contact: Posted: 2/19/2010

Matt Swenson 651-297-8406

NEWS RELEASE KELSEY SMITH ACT WOULD SAVE LIVES

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ST. PAUL, MN – Last July, state Rep. Joe Atkins met with Greg and Missey Smith of Kansas, whose 18-year-old daughter Kelsey was abducted and murdered in 2007. For four days Mr. and Mrs. Smith, along with police, begged their cell phone company to hand over the “ping” records that show the location of a cell phone.

Within 45 minutes of getting the records, authorities located Kelsey’s body. Kelsey’s parents and law enforcement believe if authorities have access to the records soon enough, it may prevent harm, or even save a life.

“When people go missing, or when an abduction occurs, every minute counts,” said Rep. Atkins.

That’s why Atkins drafted legislation that will help law enforcement retrieve records from cell phone companies to locate missing persons. The bill (HF2639) is commonly referred to as the “Kelsey Smith Act,” and would help law enforcement locate missing persons in Minnesota sooner – before it’s too late.

The Kelsey Smith Act would require cell phone providers to turn over records to law enforcement showing the location of a missing person’s cell phone, when there is a threat of death or serious physical harm. A similar bill was passed recently in Kansas, because of the work of Greg and Missey Smith.

The Smiths testified this week in front of House and Senate Committees, urging passage of the bill this year. Assistant St. Paul Police Chief Nancy DiPerna also spoke in favor of the proposal, saying, "If even a couple hours can be saved and we can get there quicker, it's worth it.”

Rep. Atkins is working on the bill with State Rep. Sheldon Johnson, chair of the House Telecommunications, Regulation and Infrastructure Division, who agreed to serve as the chief author of the bill.