A kill switch lets users lock the phone if it is stolen, making it inoperable.
Eventually it will need to be approved by California Gov.
Jerry Brown, as well.
The bill is in response to a rising tide in smartphone theft.
The Senate approval is a legislative victory in a nascent push by lawmakers to curb smartphone theft.
That bill is still in committee.
Apple and Microsoft, which had publicly opposed the bill, both backed off their stances this week.
Apple and Microsoft declined to comment.
Gascon lauded the vote.
As it is written now, the liability falls on the retailers actually selling the phones.
Some senators had concerns over retailers unfairly getting the brunt of the blame.
The CTIA continued to oppose the bill on Thursday.
Under the CTIA’s voluntary commitment program, the kill-switch features would come automatically turned off by default.
Leno said the wireless industry’s resistance has to do with money, specifically losing business from insurance partners.
