Mo. bill targets cellphone tracking in emergencies

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Legislation passed by the Missouri House would require wireless phone companies to help law enforcement agencies locate subscribers in emergencies.

The bill's requirements could be used either to help find a 911 caller who is using a cellphone, or to ping the phone's location when there is the danger of death or serious physical injury.

Sponsoring Rep. Jeanie Lauer, a Republican from Blue Springs, said the legislation was prompted by the killing of 18-year-old Kelsey Smith, who was abducted in 2007 outside a shopping center in Overland Park, Kan. Her body was found four days later.

Lauer said Smith might have been found faster if authorities had been better able to track her cellphone signals.

The bill now goes to the Senate.

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Cellphone bill is HB1108.

Online:

Legislature: http://www.moga.mo.gov