A Kelsey Smith Act amendment has been introduced on human trafficking legislation in the U.S. Senate.
U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., today introduced it as an amendment to the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act.
The bill provides law enforcement with tools to crack down on human trafficking, and help victims restore their lives, according to a statement from Sen. Roberts.
It strengthens law enforcement’s ability to lawfully and quickly access cell phone location information, or ”pings,” when a person is abducted and their life is threatened, according to Sen. Roberts’ office.
The amendment is named for Kelsey Smith, who was abducted in 2007 in Overland Park, Kan., and murdered. The abduction was filmed on a store security camera. Four days after her disappearance, authorities located her body when her wireless provider released the “ping” or call location information from her cell phone. The amendment is designed for faster release of this information in emergencies.