Kelsey Smith Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Oct 1, 2009

Kelsey Smith Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require a telecommunication carrier to provide, at the request of a law enforcement agency, call location information of users of a commercial mobile service or an IP-enabled voice service (e.g., cell phones) to such agency and other public safety and health agencies in order to respond to emergency situations.

Prohibits any cause of action against any commercial mobile service or IP-enabled voice service provider (including its officers, employees, or agents) for providing such call location information in good faith.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Tiahrt, Todd [R-KS-4] · R–KS

Committees

Energy and Commerce Committee

2 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Oct 2, 2009
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet.
Oct 1, 2009
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Oct 1, 2009
Introduced in House
Oct 1, 2009
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Oct 1, 2009 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Aug 14, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.3717 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.3717, 111th Congress: Kelsey Smith Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/3717

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2009-10-01.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr3717/BILLS-111hr3717ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T16:16:27Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.3717 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.3717 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.3717, 111th Congress: Kelsey Smith Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/3717

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2009-10-01.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr3717/BILLS-111hr3717ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T16:16:27Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.3717 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.3717 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.3717, 111th Congress: Kelsey Smith Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/3717

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2009-10-01.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr3717/BILLS-111hr3717ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T16:16:27Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.3717 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.3717 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.3717, 111th Congress: Kelsey Smith Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/3717

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2009-10-01.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr3717/BILLS-111hr3717ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T16:16:27Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.3717 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.