In December of 2013, Kari Hunt Dunn was stabbed to death by her husband in a motel room in east Texas. Her 9-year-old daughter repeatedly tried dialing 9-1-1, but the motel phone required “9” to be dialed to reach any outside line, including emergency services.
This launched Kari’s Law, which requires all organizations or businesses that utilize a multi-line telephone system (MLTS) to provide direct dialing to 9-1-1, to notify designated personnel when a 9-1-1 call is made, and to include a dispatchable location (in accordance with Ray Baum’s Act).
In Texas, every business operating with an MLTS must be compliant or have a waiver on file with its 9-1-1 authority.
Kari’s Law Compliance
More on Kari's Law
The federal version of Kari’s Law, signed by President Donald Trump in 2018, requires all MLTS installed after February 16, 2020 support direct dialing to 9-1-1. However, the Texas version of Kari’s Law requires all MLTS support direct dialing regardless of the installation date.
The deadline for compliance in Texas passed on September 1, 2016. Therefore, your organization must be compliant or have a waiver on file with your 9-1-1 authority.
According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), organizations that choose to file a waiver in lieu of compliance must also provide a sticker on their MLTS phones detailing how to dial 9-1-1 from the device.
More on Ray Baum's
The Ray Baum’s Act requires organizations utilizing MLTS to provide a dispatchable location to the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) when making a 9-1-1 call. According to the FCC, a dispatchable location is “a location delivered to the public safety answering point with a 9-1-1 call that consists of the validated street address of the calling party, plus additional information such as suite, apartment, or similar information.”
The FCC established different deadlines for compliance with the Ray Baum’s Act. Depending on the type of MLTS provider, deadlines include either January 6, 2021 or January 6, 2022.
If your organization is part of the NCT9-1-1 service area, you may contact Data Manager LeAnna Russell about becoming compliant with the Ray Baum’s Act.
FAQ
What does “direct dialing” mean?
Direct dialing means no prefix digit is needed to dial out to 9-1-1. Many MLTS require the caller to dial “9” before reaching an outside line. Kari’s Law was passed to make it easier for callers in an emergency to get help by having all MLTS include direct dialing to 9-1-1.
Who is “designated personnel”?
When a 9-1-1 call is made from an office building, hospital, hotel, etc., it’s important that the building administration is aware of the emergency. To address this, Kari’s Law requires that a designated individual, such as a receptionist or security guard, is alerted when a 9-1-1 call is made in the building.
What is “dispatchable location”?
Buildings that utilize MLTS usually have multiple floors and are divided into offices. When you dial 9-1-1 from this building on the office phone, the public safety answering point (PSAP) will receive the street address, but not the specific office number or floor level.
In accordance with the Ray Baum’s Act, organizations the use a MLTS must provide a dispatchable location with a 9-1-1 call. A dispatchable location includes the street address, floor level, and room number, if applicable.