2020 Kari's Law Update

IMPORTANT DEADLINES

February 16, 2020 - Kari's Law Enforced
Every phone (soft or physical) that can dial the public switch network, has to be able to call 911 directly without any type of access codes
January 6, 2021 - Ray Baum's Act Phase 1 911 Calls from 'fixed' locations (e.g., stationary, wired) must have a dispatchable location
January 6, 2022 - Ray Baum's Act Phase 2
911 Calls from 'non-fixed' locations (e.g., wireless, VPN) must have a dispatchable location

KARI'S LAW

This law applies to multi-line telephone systems (MLTS), which are often used by office buildings, campuses, and hotels.

Kari's Law Requirements

Every phone (soft or physical capable of dialing the public switch network), has to be able to dial 911 directly without any type of access code.
All 911 calls must be routed to the E911 PSAP (Public Safety Access Point) with no interception.
All 911 calls must notify on-premise personnel that 911 has been dialed, the location the call came from, and the number of the caller.

RAY BAUM'S ACT (Section 506)

Ray Baum's Act identifies the use of technology to convey a dispatchable location during a 911 call regardless of the technological platform used.

The dispatchable location includes the street address of the caller, but may also convey,

Room Number
Floor Number
Any similar information necessary to adequately identify the location of the calling party.

The extent of the info provided will allow emergency units to more accurately pinpoint the caller’s location. (ex. ‘4th-floor conference room’). This crucial data will improve emergency response time, giving the victim a better chance of survival.

KARI'S LAW AND RAY BAUM'S ACT BACKGROUND

Kari's Law

In 2013, Kari Hunt — in the presence of her young daughter — was stabbed by her estranged husband in a hotel room. The daughter tried to dial 911 from the phone, but did not realize that an access code was required for outgoing calls. Thus, the call never made it to the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and Kari died from her wounds, unable to receive the timely medical attention that would have likely saved her life.Kari's Law was named in the mother’s memory and offers a reminder of the importance of efficiency when it comes to contacting first responders in emergency situations.

Ray Baum's Act

Ray Baum was influential in congress working with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on telecommunications issues.

ACRONYMS TO KNOW

MLTS:

Multi-Line Telephone System

PSAP:

Public Safety Answering Points

ERL:

Emergency Response Location

ELIN:

Emergency Line Identification Number