911 Legislation

Kari's Law and Ray Baum's Act are the minimum that is required in every state. Additionally, some states have their own legislation regarding 911 specifications. We recommend consulting with your legal team to make sure your company is compliant.

Ray Baum’s Act states that when a 911 call is placed, the call includes dispatchable location information. What is dispatchable location? It is the street address and city along with further defining factors, such as a building, floor, or room number. Ray Baum's Act went into effect for fixed devices on January 6th, 2021, and for non-fixed devices on January 6th, 2022. This applies to the entire United States of America. 

What is a dispatchable location? https://www.fcc.gov/911-dispatchable-location

Kari’s Law requires that 911 are the only digits needed to contact public safety. To call 911, you must not have a dialing prefix, such as 9, and the call must go directly to the PSAP.  For example, if you are at your desk and pick up the phone, you only need to dial 911 to get to an emergency responder; you do not have to dial 9 first (9-911) in order to get an outside line.

Additionally, someone on-site, such as security, front desk reception or a manager, must receive a notification that a 911 call has been placed. This law went into effect on February 16th, 2020 and applies to every state.

Alaska:

In Alaska, a municipality may require a MLTS operator to provide enhanced 911 service. 

http://codes.findlaw.com/ak/title-29-municipal-government/ak-st-sect-29-35-134.html

Arkansas:

In Arkansas, MLTS operators must deliver to the PSAP the phone number and street address of any telephone used to place a 911 call. Ark. Code Ann. 12-10-303 (1997).

 https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/FTPDocument?path=%2FBills%2F2019R%2FPublic%2FHB1564.pdf 

Colorado:

MLTS operators shall provide written information to their end-users describing the proper method of dialing 911, when dialing an additional digit prefix is required. MLTS operators that do not give the ANI, the ALI, or both shall disclose this in writing to their end-users and instruct them to provide their telephone number and exact location when calling 911. Sec. 1. 29-11-100.5, Colorado Revised Statutes

 9-1-1 Statutes and Regulations | Public Utilities Commission (colorado.gov) 

Connecticut:

A private company, corporation or institution may provide private 911 service to its users, provided it has adequate resources, the approval of the Office of State-Wide Emergency Telecommunications and the municipality in which it is located, and a qualified private safety answering point. https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_518a.htm#sec_28-25b

Florida:

Section  365.175: REQUIRED ALI CAPABILITY - Each PBX system installed after January 1, 2004 must be capable of providing automatic location identification to the station level.

History. - S.3, ch. 2003-182.

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0365/0365.html

Illinois:

Requirements vary based on residential vs. business and square footage. Private residential switch service providers must identify the telephone number, extension number, and the physical location of a 911 caller to the PSAP.  Private business switch service providers must provide ANI and ALI data for each 911 call.  Also, they must not require the dialing of an additional prefix. Generally, a distinct location needs to be provided per 40,000 ft or each entity sharing a building. 

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=741

Kentucky:

Residential private switch telephone service providers located in E911 capable areas must provide ANI and ALI data for each 911 call, and must provide ALI that includes the street address, plus an apartment number or floor, if applicable. 65.752 Statutes. 

https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=48894

Louisiana:

PBX systems installed after January 1, 2005 must be capable of providing station level ALI (Automatic Location Identification) to the PSAP. 

http://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=286146

Maine: 

Residential MLTS providers must deliver a distinct ANI and ALI for each living unit to the PSAP. Business MLTS providers must deliver ANI or ALI to the PSAP; specific ALI data requirements are outlined. Also includes requirements for hotels/motels, exemptions and guidelines to establish a private emergency answering point. State of Maine - MLTS installed or upgraded after July 27, 2005 require a minimum of one ANI/ALI per floor, per 40,000 square feet. 25 MRSA 2934. 

http://www.maine911.com/laws_rules/rules.htm
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=SP0271&item=1&snum=128

Maryland: 

Maryland has enacted Kari's Law. 

This bill requires that, by December 31, 2017, a person that installs or operates a “multiple-line telephone system” ensure that the system is connected to the public switched telephone network in such a way that when an individual using the system dials 9-1-1, the call connects to the public safety answering point without requiring the user to dial any other number or set of numbers. Executive Branch units are exempt from compliance until the date of the next upgrade of the unit’s multiple-line telephone system. 

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2015RS/fnotes/bil_0000/hb1080.pdf

Massachusetts:

Beginning July 1, 2009, all new or substantially renovated multi-line telephone systems and multi-line telephone system operators shall provide to end users or subscribers the same level of enhanced 911 service that is provided to other end users or subscribers in the commonwealth. The service shall include, but not be limited to: (a) ALI and ANI that meets, at a minimum, the applicable standards as defined in 560 CMR 4.00; (b) a call back number as defined in 560 CMR 4.00; and (c) dispatchable location information as defined in 560 CMR 4.00. For structures or buildings located in the commonwealth, such information shall be transmitted to the appropriate jurisdictional PSAP. A person engaged in owning, managing, configuring, or operating a multi-line telephone system that provides outbound dialing capability or access shall configure the system to allow a person initiating a 9-1-1 call on the system to directly access 9-1-1 service by dialing in order the digits 9, 1, and 1 without an additional code, digit, prefix, postfix, or trunk-access code. All non-compliant devices that provide outbound dialing capacity or access must have immediately adjacent to, and optionally on, the device an instructional sticker instructing the user how to access 9-1-1 service. The instructional sticker must be printed in at least 12-point boldface type, in a contrasting color using a font that is easily readable, and is written in English and Spanish.

Automatic Location Identification or ALI. An enhanced 911 service capability that allows for the automatic display of information relating to the geographical location of the communication device used to place a 911 call. 

Automatic Number Identification or ANI. An enhanced 911 service capability that allows for the automatic display of a telephone number used to place or route a 911 call.

Call Back Number. A number used by a PSAP to contact the location from which the 911 call was placed. This number shall allow a call from the PSAP to reach the station used to originate the 911 call, or the number of a switchboard operator, attendant, or other designated on-site individual with the ability to direct emergency responders to the 911 caller's location 24 hours per day, seven days per week, 365 days per year. 

Dispatchable Location Information. The location delivered to the PSAP with a 911 call that consists of the validated Location Database (LDB) street address of the calling party, plus additional location information such as: building name or number (if more than one building shares the same street address), floor number (if more than one floor), suite name or number, apartment name or number, and room name or number or similar location information necessary to adequately identify the location of the calling device. ERL Identifiers and Unit Identifiers are forms of dispatchable location information. For devices located in sleeping and/or living quarters, dispatchable location information shall include a room name or number. 

https://www.mass.gov/doc/560-cmr-4-regulations-governing-enhanced-911-service-for-multi-line-telephone-systems/download

Michigan:

Requirements vary based on number of buildings and square footage. Generally, the specific location of each communications device needs to be provided unless an alternative method of notification and adequate means of signaling and responding to emergencies is maintained 24-hours a day. MLTS operators in violation of the act after December 31, 2011 may be assessed a fine by the Michigan Public Utilities Commission from $500.00 to $5,000.00 per offense. 

There are some exemptions…. 

https://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2019-2020/publicact/pdf/2019-PA-0030.pdf

Minnesota:

Operators of MLTS purchased after December 31, 2004 must ensure that their system provides ANI and ALI for each 911 call. Residential MLTS should provide one distinctive ANI and one distinctive ALI per residential unit. Location identification requirements for businesses are outlined. Also includes requirements for hotels/motels, schools, exemptions and guidelines to establish a private emergency answering point. 

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/403.15

Mississippi:

Service providers must provide callers with access to the appropriate PSAP. Anyone operating a shared tenant service is required to provide the ANI and ALI for each 911 call made from any extension. http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2014/html/SB/2500-2599/SB2566PS.htm

New Hampshire:

Telephone and VoIP service providers, as well as hotels, motels, hospitals, universities and potentially others, must deliver the 911 call with the ANI to the appropriate PSAP.

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/VII/106-H/106-H-mrg.htm

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/xxxiv/378/378-mrg.htm

New York:

MLTS operating in public buildings must allow any call to 911 on the system to be directly connected to a public safety answering point (PSAP). Public buildings are defined as buildings that belong to the state, county, town, school district or any other political or civil subdivision of state or local government. 

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/EXC/717-A

Oklahoma:

Business owners or operators using VoIP service must allow a 911 call on the system to directly access 911 without an additional code, digit, prefix, postfix, or trunk-access code, and must provide a notification to a central location when someone on their network dials 911. 

https://www.ok.gov/911/documents/Title%2063%20Section%202801%20thru%202853%20-%202011.pdf

Pennsylvania:

Shared residential MLTS operators must deliver 911 calls to the PSAP with one distinctive ANI and ALI for each living unit. Business MLTS operators must deliver the 911 call with an ANI and ALI detailed to the building and floor location of the caller or must establish a private emergency answering point. Details, notification requirements and exemptions are outlined as well. https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/consCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=35&div=0&chpt=53

Texas:

MLTS operators who serve residential users and facilities must provide the same level of 911 service as received by other residential users in the same regional plan area, including ANI. Business owners or operators using VoIP service must allow a 911 call on the system to directly access 911 without an additional code, digit, prefix, postfix, or trunk-access code, and must provide a notification to a central location when someone on their network dials 911. http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/HS/htm/HS.771.htm
http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/HS/htm/HS.771A.htm

Tarrant County, Texas, requires that MLTS providers offering residential or commercial service to non-affiliated businesses must provide the level of 911 service as required under the appropriate regional plan. Businesses must provide the PSAP with ANI and ALI data for each 911 call. Details, including location identification requirements for businesses and exemptions, are outlined as well. 

Legislation – Tarrant County 911 (tc911.org) 

Utah:

Any owner or operator of a multi-line telephone system added or upgraded after July 1, 2017, shall configure the MLTS system to include the street address, and if applicable, the business name, of the location of the communications device from which the call is made. Additionally, callback number, office, unit or building number, room number, and if multi-story, building floor. Utah Code SMLTS. 53-10-601 et seq. http://le.utah.gov/~2017/bills/sbillenr/SB0014.pdf

Vermont:

MLTS end users shall have the ability to directly initiate a call to 911 without dialing any additional digit, code, prefix or post-fix.

https://e911.vermont.gov/

https://e911.vermont.gov/statutes-and-rules 

Virginia:

MLTS providers must ensure that an emergency call placed from any telephone is delivered to the PSAP with ANI and ALI, or an alternative method of providing call location information.

1. Emergency calls from a telephone station provide the PSAP with sufficient location identification information to ensure that emergency responders are dispatched to a location at the facility from which the emergency call was placed, from which location emergency responders will be able to ascertain the telephone station where the emergency call was placed (i) by being able to view all of the telephone stations in the area contiguous to the telephone station from which the emergency call was placed or (ii) by the activation of an alerting system at the facility, which activation is triggered by the placing of the emergency call, and which readily allows arriving emergency responders to determine the physical location of the telephone station from which the emergency call was placed. A light or alarm located near the telephone station is an example of such an alerting system;

2. Emergency calls from a telephone station, in addition to reaching a PSAP, connect to or otherwise notify a switchboard operator, attendant, or other designated on-site individual who is capable of giving the PSAP the location of the telephone station from which the emergency call was placed; or

3. Calls to the digits "9-1-1" from a telephone station connect to a private emergency answering point.

Washington:

Residential service providers must ensure that an emergency call placed from any caller is delivered to the PSAP along with a unique ALI for their unit. Business service providers must ensure that an emergency call placed from any caller is delivered to the PSAP along with a unique ALI for their telephone.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=80.36.555
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=80.36.560