HB2 Alabama 2016 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Tommy Hanes
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2016
Title: Wireless communications providers, location information of customer required upon request of law enforcement on certain circumstances, Kelsey Smith Act
Summary: HB2, the Kelsey Smith Act, would require wireless providers to disclose a caller’s location data to law enforcement on request in emergencies involving a risk of death or serious harm.
What This Bill Does
The bill requires a wireless service provider to give call location information about a user’s device to the requesting law enforcement agency when the request is for an emergency or a risk of death or serious bodily harm. Providers may set up voluntary protocols for how they disclose this information. Law enforcement may monitor location data from anywhere in Alabama, as allowed by federal law, when responding to emergencies. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency must obtain and share provider contact information to help agencies request location data.

Who It Affects
Wireless service providers: must disclose location information to law enforcement in emergencies and may establish voluntary disclosure protocols; they have civil liability immunity if acting in good faith.
Law enforcement agencies: gain authority to request and monitor location information during emergencies and must coordinate through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
Wireless service users: their device location data could be accessed by law enforcement in emergencies involving risk of death or serious harm.
State and local law enforcement agencies: will receive provider contact information from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency to facilitate requests.

Key Provisions
Named as the Kelsey Smith Act.
Section 1(b): requires wireless providers to disclose call location information to law enforcement on emergency requests or when there is a risk of death or serious bodily harm.
Section 1(c): allows providers to establish voluntary disclosure protocols.
Section 1(d): provides civil liability immunity for providers acting in good faith under this section.
Section 1(e): allows law enforcement to monitor location information from anywhere in the state, within federal law limits.
Section 1(f): Alabama Law Enforcement Agency must obtain provider contact information and share it with state and local agencies.
Section 2: effective date is the first day of the third month after passage/approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Telecommunications