Rep. Moss files bill in North Carolina House to authorize emergency phone location access

A new bill filed by State Rep. Ben T. Moss Jr. seeks to enable quicker law enforcement access to phone location information during critical emergencies to enhance public safety response, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 211 on Feb. 25 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘The Kelsey Smith Act.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, the bill, known as The Kelsey Smith Act, authorizes wireless telecommunications carriers to provide phone location information to law enforcement officers in specific emergency situations. If a device is used to place a 911 call for emergency assistance or is reasonably suspected to be with an individual involved in an emergency situation posing a risk of death or serious physical harm, carriers must provide location details without delay, subject to federal law. The bill protects carriers and their personnel from legal action when acting in good faith under these provisions. Additionally, carriers must submit emergency contact information annually to the State Bureau of Investigation, which will maintain a database accessible to public safety points. The State Bureau of Investigation is tasked with adopting temporary rules until permanent ones are established. The act becomes effective July 1, 2025.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Moss and Bill Ward proposed the most bills (13) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Moss, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 52nd House district, replacing previous state representative Jamie Boles.