Cell phone ‘kill switch’ might become mandatory in N.J.

New Jersey lawmakers are working on an idea to deter smartphone thefts.

Assemblyman Tom Giblin is proposing that New Jersey require smartphones and tablets have a “kill switch” so they can be disabled when they’re lost or stolen.

“What we’re finding is that more and more crimes are taking place,” he said. “Actually there was a killing recently in Newark over stealing a phone and hopefully this will prevent some of that.”

Some phone makers are already moving ahead with the kill switch idea. And Giblin, D-Essex, said he’s talking with manufacturers to get their input.

He wants to make sure the New Jersey regulations would be consistent with a similar law that was passed in California.