A bill to let domestic violence victims keep their cell phone numbers so they can move on will be heard by a Senate committee today.

Senator Ryan Silvey (photo courtesy, Missouri Senate Communications)

Senator Ryan Silvey (photo courtesy, Missouri Senate Communications)

The bill would let cell phone providers transfer rights to a cell phone number and billing responsibility to a person when that person has an order of protection against the account holder.

Colleen Coble with the Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence says that can make a big difference when trying to rebuild a life…

“It may not seem like an important thing, but in the midst of that difficulty being able to have a consistent cell phone number is really very important,” Coble told Missourinet. “It’s pretty essential to have that consistency, and it’s just a contract provision that can be changed quite easily in state law.”

Coble says wireless companies that serve Missouri are behind the proposal.

“They are the primary backers in collaboration with the Coalition to have this piece of legislation enacted,” said Coble. “They are proposing this measure, supporting it, to ensure that valuable customers don’t lose their cell phone numbers and don’t have disruptions in their lives when they’re already facing the after-effects and the ongoing troubles from domestic violence.”

The bill is sponsored by Senator Ryan Silvey (R-Kansas City).