Reps. Abrams, Synenberg Introduce the Kelsey Smith Act

COLUMBUS — State Reps. Cindy Abrams (R-Harrison) and Eric Synenberg (D-Beachwood) recently introduced the Kelsey Smith Act, bipartisan legislation that will require telecommunication companies to provide the location of a cellphone to law enforcement without a subpoena if the individual’s life is in immediate danger. 

The Kelsey Smith Act, signed into law in 31 other states, is a response to the abduction and murder of Kelsey Smith, a young woman from Overland Park, Kansas. Law enforcement requested the location of her cellphone but was told they needed a subpoena. After three days of searching, law enforcement was finally able to obtain the last known location of the cellphone, and her body was found within hours.

“Keeping people safe is my top priority,” said Rep. Abrams. “This bill will help our law enforcement as they serve our communities. I am looking forward to working our bill through the committee process and sending it to the Governor for his signature.” 

“This legislation began with an advocate who believed Ohio could do more to keep people safe,” said Rep. Synenberg. “After dozens of conversations, a year of work, and guidance from the Governor’s Missing Persons Working Group, I’m proud to partner with Rep. Abrams on this bipartisan, commonsense bill that strengthens law enforcement’s ability to do their jobs and makes Ohio safer for everyone.”

Paired with recommendations from Governor DeWine’s Missing Person’s Working Group, this legislation will: 

• Require telecommunication companies to provide the location of a cellphone to law enforcement without a subpoena if the individual’s life is in immediate danger;
• Codify criteria for Ohio’s Endangered Missing Child Alert;
• Create an automatic process to notify necessary law enforcement agencies of Endangered Missing Child Alerts;
• Increase the criminal penalty for suspects who interfere with custody by removing a child or children out of the state to a foreign nation; and
• Require that interference with custody arrest warrants be entered into LEADS and NCIC with a nationwide pickup radius.
   

The legislation awaits a bill number and committee assignment.