Kari's Law and RAY BAUM's Act

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations require organizations with multi-line telephone systems (MLTS) to have direct access to dial 911 – without unnecessary or redundant steps.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations require organizations with multi-line telephone systems (MLTS) to have direct access to dial 911 without unnecessary or redundant steps. That means dialing a prefix (such as pressing 9 before you can enter the number you're trying to reach), as well as postfix or trunk access codes, are not permissible by law.

In addition, onsite security or other designated staff members must get notified of 911 calls that take place within the workplace. This is an important component designed to raise awareness when an emergency occurs and enables onsite staff to render assistance until first responders can arrive. These two requirements - direct access to 911 and notifications - are part of Kari’s Law, which went into effect January 2020. 

With RAY BAUM’S Act, which went into effect in January 2021, organizations must provide a dispatchable location. Beyond just the street address, a dispatchable location includes additional information so that first responders can find the precise location of the emergency. This includes a building number for large complexes, floor level, and suite or room numbers, and that information is automatically relayed when a 911 call is placed along with a valid callback number.

Bringing your business into compliance with these laws and regulations can sound challenging and laborious, but having the right partner to guide your efforts can make compliance less daunting.

Kari's Law: Direct Access to 911

Kari’s Law was signed into federal law on February 16, 2018, after a tragic emergency situation. The law honors the memory of Kari Hunt Dunn whose 9-year-old daughter was unable to reach emergency services because she didn’t know the phone system required dialing dial “9” to reach an outside line. 

Kari’s Law requires businesses to enable the direct dialing of 911 and directs the FCC to establish necessary 911 calling regulations for the MLTS that are commonly used in buildings such as hotels, hospitals, and most office campuses.

Compliance with Kari's Law ensures employees, customers, or visitors can dial 911 directly from any phone connected to the company’s phone system. Additionally, the law requires that a notification be sent to a central location or individual within the business when a 911 call is made. This notification allows for swift internal response and ensures that key personnel are aware of an ongoing emergency.

RAY BAUM'S Act: Enhanced Location Information

RAY BAUM’s Act requires that all 911 calls must have a “dispatchable location”, as referred to by the FCC. Dispatchable location means having adequate information for emergency responders to find the exact location of a person who has dialed 911.

Let’s say there is a critical emergency in your office building, and you’re located in the conference room on the 7th floor. You pick up the phone and dial 911. This is where another federal law called RAY BAUM’s Act, comes into play. The rules and regulations state that campuses that use MLTS are required to be able to pass along location information that would be more precise than a front desk. More specifically, the dispatchable location information would give information like building, floor, room, etc. 

Alyssa's Law

This law honors Alyssa Alhdeff, who lost her life during the Marjory Stoneman Douglas School shooting tragedy in 2018. Alyssa’s Law requires schools to implement silent panic alarms with a direct connection to local law enforcement. New Jersey, Florida, New York and Texas are among many states that have already implemented Alyssa's Law, and several states have bills under consideration. 

Who's Impacted by Kari's Law and RAY BAUM'S Act?

• Businesses with multiple office locations, financial institutions, medical facilities, retail, hospitality, etc.
• School campuses, both public and private, including K12 through higher education

What Are the Deadlines?

For enterprises with fixed MLTS phones, the change took effect in January 2021. Organizations with non-fixed MLTS devices on- and off-premises were required to comply with these regulatory obligations by January 6, 2022. All requirements apply to MLTS manufactured, imported, offered for first sale or lease, first sold or leased, or installed after February 16, 2020.

To learn more, you can read these resources:

E911 Regulations and Legislation

FCC 911 Rules for MLTS

Assessing Your Enterprise 911 Capabilities

Intrado Safety Suite

Get Help from the 911 Leaders

Intrado has a deep understanding of federal and state-level regulations and compliance requirements. Backed by a team of industry experts and Intrado’s suite of E911 solutions, you can trust that you'll meet your regulatory obligations. 

Contact us to learn more about E911 compliance, emergency location management, call routing and notifications, or request a meeting using the form on this page.