Sponsors (4)
The bill speeds emergency access to device location data to help find people and save lives, but does so by lowering warrant protections and adding oversight and cost risks that could harm privacy and impose burdens on providers and governments.
People in imminent danger and emergency responders can get a device’s recent location quickly when a caller contacted 911 within 48 hours, improving chances of timely rescue.
Callers who cannot give consent (or when consent cannot be obtained) and responding officers can have location data disclosed when officers reasonably believe delay would increase risk, enabling faster lifesaving action.
Local governments and law enforcement will have a required recordkeeping trail (officer name, declaration, consent/effort) for emergency location requests, increasing accountability and auditability.
People who use mobile devices — including people with disabilities and families — may see reduced privacy protections because providers can be required to disclose location data without a warrant in many emergencies.
Law enforcement and local communities face increased risk of misuse or overbroad location requests because disclosures can be made based on an officer’s reasonable suspicion and failed consent attempts unless strictly monitored.
Providers and local agencies may incur operational costs and administrative burdens to respond rapidly and retain records, costs that could be passed on to taxpayers or consumers.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Requires prompt disclosure of a device's location to law enforcement or PSAPs in recent-PSAP-contact or life‑threatening emergencies with subscriber or next-of-kin consent or documented exigent efforts.
Official title: To amend section 2703 of title 18, United States Code, to require emergency disclosure of location information to law enforcement or public safety answering point.
Introduced March 2, 2026 by Derek Schmidt · Last progress March 2, 2026
Requires electronic communications providers to promptly disclose available location information of a telecommunications device to law enforcement officers or public safety answering point (PSAP) personnel when the device recently contacted a PSAP or when an officer reasonably suspects the device is with someone involved in an emergency that risks death or serious physical harm. Disclosure is allowed when the subscriber or next of kin consents, or when reasonable efforts to obtain consent fail and the officer reasonably believes delay would increase risk; agencies must retain a record of the request and the bill defines terms and a priority order for identifying next of kin.