Iowa House panel OKs bill on cellphone data during emergency

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - An Iowa House panel has approved a bill that would require cellphone service providers to give information about a device to authorities during an emergency.

Members of a public safety subcommittee approved the bill Monday. It now moves to a full committee for consideration.

The bill would allow authorities to request cellphone information during an emergency that involves the risk of death or serious physical harm. State officials would maintain a database of the information.

The bill closely mirrors the Kelsey Smith Act, which has passed in several other states. Smith was abducted and killed in Kansas in 2007. Her cellphone provider took days to release location information about her cellphone, which she had during her abduction.

Lobbyist Marty Ryan has registered against the bill, saying it's poorly worded.