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H 1715

An Act relative to locating missing persons via mobile data (Kelsey's Bill)

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Colleen Garry

The bill requires carriers and in-vehicle providers to quickly share device location with law enforcement to locate missing persons and assist emergencies, with a state emergency-c

Accompanied a study order, see H5281 (under House Rule 27)
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Bill Summary · H 1715

Summary of H.1715 (Kelsey’s Bill): An Act relative to locating missing persons via mobile data

Purpose and intent

H.1715, titled “An Act relative to locating missing persons via mobile data (Kelsey's Bill),” would require certain wireless carriers and in-vehicle security and communications service providers to assist law enforcement in locating missing persons and responding to emergencies. The bill creates a formal process for sharing device location information with law enforcement upon request, aiming to enhance public safety and timeliness in missing-person investigations and emergency responses.

Key provisions

  • New statutory section (Section 18M) added to Ch. 6A. Defines the scope and duties related to location data sharing.
  • Executive office designation. “Executive office” is defined as the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.
  • Duty to provide location data (b). Upon request by a law enforcement agency, a wireless carrier or in-vehicle security/communications provider must immediately provide location information for a user’s device:
    • (i) to respond to an emergency call initiated from the user’s device,
    • (ii) to assist in a missing person investigation, or
    • (iii) in an emergency situation involving risk of death or serious physical harm.
    • Provisions allow carriers to follow voluntary disclosure protocols beyond the mandatory requirements.
  • Emergency contact information (c). All wireless carriers and in-vehicle service providers must submit emergency contact information to the Executive Office to facilitate requests, with annual updates by June 15 or any immediate changes.
  • Limited liability (d). No civil action may be brought against the carrier or provider, or their personnel, for providing location information in good faith and in accordance with the statute.
  • Public safety database (e). The Executive Office must maintain a database containing emergency contact information for all carriers/providers and make it immediately available to all public safety answer points in the state. Regulations for administration and enforcement must be promulgated, with the bill noting regulations should have been issued no later than December 31, 2023 (a drafting note within the text).

Affected entities

  • Wireless telecommunications carriers and in-vehicle security/communications service providers.
  • Law enforcement agencies and public safety departments.
  • The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (as custodian of the emergency-contact database).
  • Public safety answer points (911-type call centers) across Massachusetts.

Implementation, timeline, and status

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025.
  • Hearing: Scheduled for July 15, 2025 (1:00 PM–8:00 PM; in-person in A-2, with virtual availability and multiple reschedulings noted in the legislative record).
  • Committee and process: Referred to the Judiciary on February 27, 2025; Senate concurrence noted in the record.
  • Related bill: HD 3555 (the House docket version that replaces or corresponds to this measure).

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Public safety benefits. Faster access to location data could improve missing-person outcomes and emergency responses.
  • Privacy and civil liberties. The bill provides a good-faith standard and liability protections, but the rapid disclosure of location data raises privacy considerations for wireless users.
  • Regulatory framework. The bill envisions a centralized database and mandatory annual updates of emergency contacts, plus regulatory enforcement—though the text notes a past deadline for regulations (2023), which may require clarification or updating in the current version.
  • Operational implications. Carriers and providers must implement processes to provide immediate location data upon request and to maintain ongoing emergency-contact records.

Bottom line

H.1715 proposes a targeted, law-enforcement-friendly framework to locate missing persons and respond to emergencies through timely disclosure of device location data by wireless carriers and in-vehicle service providers, supported by a state-facing database and safeguards against misuse. The bill is undergoing a Judiciary committee hearing in July 2025.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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