Understanding
Kari's Law &
Ray Baum's Act

In 2018, two federal statutes were signed into law with the intent to improve emergency calling when using a MLTS (multiline telephone systems), like those sold by ESI. Those statutes are called Kari's Law and Ray Baum's Act.¹

 

 

What are the requirements for "Kari's Law"?

Requiring a "Prefix" when calling 911 is prohibited.

Locations with MLTS must remove any requirement that a caller dial “9”, “8”, or any other number to reach an outside line to make a call to 911.

On-site Notifications

When a 911 call is placed from an multi-line telephone system, a notification must be sent to on-site personnel, alerting them to the emergency. Notifications to the appropriate contact can take the form of phone calls, visual alerts on a monitor, audible alarms, text messages, and/or emails.

When does Kari's Law go into effect?

Kari’s Law applies to MLTS that are manufactured, imported, offered for first sale or lease, first sold or leased, or installed after February 16, 2020. MLTS that were manufactured, imported, sold or leased, or installed before February 16, 2020 are grandfathered in from statute compliance. However, it’s within the best interest of any business to become compliant to provide better 911 services to those using the MLTS and to prevent potential litigation in the case of a 911 event.

Which ESI systems are compliant with Kari's Law?

 

What are the requirements of Section 506 of Ray Baum's Act?

Dispatchable Location

Section 506 of Ray Baum’s Act covers “dispatchable location” which requires the FCC to consider adopting rules to ensure that a “dispatchable location” is conveyed with 911 calls, regardless of the technological platform used, so that 911 call centers will receive the caller’s location automatically and can dispatch responders more quickly. “Dispatchable location” is “the street address of the calling party, and additional information such as room number, floor number, or similar information necessary to adequately identify the location of the calling party."

When does the law go into effect?

Compliance for Ray Baum's Act has deadline dates based on Fixed and Non-Fixed telephony. An example of Fixed Telephony is a physical phone in a remote location. An example of Non-Fixed Telephony is a web-based softphone. Ray Baum's Act applies to these devices and platforms that are manufactured, imported, offered for first sale or lease, first sold or leased, or installed after the dates shown below.

 

Which ESI Systems are compliant with Ray Baum's Act?

Please refer to the list below for details on which ESI are compliant with Section 506 of Ray Baum's Act:

 

Non-compliant ESI Legacy Systems

The following legacy products are not compliant with Kari's Law or Ray Baum's Act:
• IVX X-Class, IVX S-Class, IVX E-Class, IVX C-Class • IP 200 and IP 40 • IVX 128 & IVX 20 • VoiceWorks 16 • Original IVX

Support

Those who purchased their PBX from ESI through a Certified Partner should contact that partner to perform any programming that may be needed to bring your PBX into compliance. ESI eCloud customers who receive service directly from ESI should contact ESI Cloud Support.

1. https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-353961A1.pdf, https://www.fcc.gov/mlts-911-requirements

 

Published in May 2024