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An Iowa bill that originated in Marion County may soon become law.

The Kelsey Smith Act would use a cell phone ping to help locate a missing person if law enforcement or family members believe a person is in actual danger, according to District 14 State Senator Amy Sinclair. She says this law would also be helpful in cases of elderly people with dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease, as well as in abduction cases.
The bill has passed both houses and is on its way to the Governor’s Desk.
Sinclair and District 28 State Representative Greg Heartsill helped get the act on the radar of the Iowa Legislature after Marion County Sheriff Jason Sandholdt brought the story of Kelsey Smith to their attention.
Kelsey was abducted and murdered in Kansas in 2007. Law enforcement contacted her cell phone company to try and locate her but the company refused for fear of liability. They received permission four days later, but by then it was too late. 17 states currently have Kelsey Smith laws in place and there is an effort for an amendment to a law nationwide.