New Jersey Lawmakers Working On Bill To Protect Stalking Victims From GPS Technology

TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- There's a new effort underway in New Jersey to offer victims of stalking or domestic abuse an added layer of protection.

Several lawmakers have backed three bills that would require cell phone providers to provide directions on how to turn off the GPS feature built in to many smartphones.

WCBS 880's Levon Putney reports

"Provide a step-by-step process by which they can deactivate their GPS tracking system," State Sen. Joseph Vitale told WCBS 880's Levon Putney.

"At the end of the day, this is their cell phone and they have a right to activate or deactivate their tracking system. And it's really for their own benefit, certainly to protect them if they feel threatened," Vitale said.

Advocates for domestic violence victims lobbied lawmakers for help because they fear stalkers or those accused of domestic violence could use cell phone GPS to track victims.

"This is a new dawn with all the electronics and technology that's available. And this is one way that they were at least attempting to, and, in some cases, successful in locating them," Vitale told Putney.

Vitale said he's hopeful the package of bills will be passed by the end of the year.

"So we're trying to stay with the times and provide 21st century protection against a 21st century crime," Vitale said.

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