Minnesota House Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee Chairman...

Minnesota House Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee Chairman Joe Atkins (DFL) will introduce legislation requiring all smartphones sold in the state to have a “kill switch” that would render stolen or lost devices inoperable. “Smartphone theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in Minnesota and across the country, and these crimes are becoming increasingly violent,” Atkins said in a news release (http://bit.ly/192kuzS). “We cannot continue to ignore the availability of existing technology to stop cellphone thieves in their tracks. It is time to act on this growing and violent threat to Minnesotans.” Atkins said the law would be the first of its kind in the U.S., but California and New York lawmakers are considering similar legislation. Atkins plans to introduce the bill Jan. 13, for passage in the 2014 legislative session. Cellphone thefts are on the rise, Atkins said: “A violent attack last week on Minneapolis mayoral candidate Mark Andrew at the Mall of America, in which his smartphone was stolen and he was badly beaten, illustrates how smartphone theft can target anyone, no matter who they are or where they are."