Kari's Law Reporting Act
Summary
The Kari's Law Reporting Act aims to ensure that emergency 911 calls made from multi-line telephone systems—such as those found in hotels, office buildings, and campuses—actually reach emergency responders. It would direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to investigate and publish a report on how well manufacturers and vendors are following the original "Kari's Law" passed in 2018. That law was named for Kari Hunt, who was killed in a motel room where her daughter tried to call 911 but failed because the phone system required dialing a "9" first to get an outside line.
If enacted, the bill would require the FCC to identify any obstacles businesses face in complying with the requirement that all phones allow direct 911 dialing without a prefix. The resulting report would also include recommendations for improving enforcement and potential new legislation to close safety gaps. For everyday citizens, this proposal is intended to provide peace of mind that emergency services will always be reachable from any business phone during a crisis.
