Kari's Law Direct Dialing and Notification Requirements

H.R. 582, commonly known as Kari’s Law, is a law which amends the Communications Act of 1934.

Background

Kari's Law was adopted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 2019 and is named in honor of Kari Hunt, whose tragic passing alerted the nation to the dangers of requiring a dialing prefix to access 911. Ms. Hunt was killed by her estranged husband in a motel in Marshall, Texas. When her nine-year-old daughter tried to call for help from the motel room phone, the call never went through because she did not know that the phone system required dialing 9 for an outside line before dialing 911.

Direct Dial Requirements

Kari's Law requires the following direct dial requirements.

• Direct 911 dialing capabilities in Multi-Line Telephone Systems (MLTS), which are typically found in office buildings, campuses, and hotels.
• MLTS manufacturers and vendors must pre-configure systems to support the direct dialing of 911 without having to dial any prefix or access code, such as the number 9.
• MLTS installers, managers, and operators must ensure that the systems support 911 direct dialing

Notification Requirements

Kari's Law requires the following notification requirements, intended to facilitate building entry by first responders.

• When a 911 call is placed on an MLTS, the system must be configured to notify a central on-site or offsite location where someone is likely to see or hear the notification. Notifications may include conspicuous on-screen messages with audible alarms for security desk computers using a client application, text messages for smartphones, and email for administrators.
• Notifications must include, at a minimum, the following information.
  • Indication that a 911 call has been made.
  • A valid callback number.
  • Information about the caller's location that the MLTS conveys to the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) with the call to 911.
    
    Note: Caller location information is required if the notification does not have to include a callback number or location information if it is technically infeasible to provide it.

Cox Business Voice and Kari's Law

The following information applies to Cox Business Voice customers regarding Kari's Law.

• All Cox Business customers with active Voice services can configure E911 notifications in MyAccount.
  • Once configured, designated recipients will be notified of any 911 calls made from telephone numbers assigned to an account / location. For more information on configuring and managing these notifications, refer to the Managing Notifications section of Managing Cox Business Users Online.
    
    Note: MyAccount users can also manage notifications directly through the Manage e911 Notifications screen.
    
    
    
    
  • Email notifications can be sent to any MyAccount user defined for the customer profile, listing the saved email address of the user.
  • Text / SMS notifications can be sent to any MyAccount user with a valid mobile phone number.
• Customers using Cox Business SIP, PRI, or T1-CAS trunks and a phone or PBX system are classified by the FCC as MLTS owners / operators, meaning they must comply with FCC rules for Kari's Law and the RAY BAUM Act, including E911 dialing plans and notification settings.
• All other Cox Voice customers, including users of VoiceManager, IP Centrex, and other voice features, must ensure all phone users can dial 911 without requiring extra digits, such as a prefix or access code.

Additional Resources

Refer to the following resources for additional information.

• For more information on Cox Business features related to the RAY BAUM Act and E911 updates, see RAY BAUM Act and E911 Updates.
• For more information on Kari's Law and Direct Dial requirements, visit www.fcc.gov/mlts-911-requirements.