GuideFederal 911 rule

Kari's Law, explained: dial 911 directly, and tell someone on site.

A federal law for multi-line phone systems, the kind every school, clinic and office runs. What it requires, who it applies to, and what to check on your own system.

Fig. 1A 911 call under Kari's Law

Classroom 114Dials 911. No 9 first.
Phone systemSends the call straight out.
911 dispatchAnswers the call.
Front officeAlerted at the same moment.

Sample. Fictional school, address and numbers.

TL;DRThe short answer

If you read one paragraph, read this.

Multi-line phone systems first sold, leased or installed in the US after February 16, 2020 must let anyone dial 911 directly, with no 9 or other prefix, from any phone that can dial. If the system can be set up to do it without new hardware or software, it must also notify someone, such as the front office or a security desk, when a 911 call is made.

§Where it came from

A nine year old dialed 911 four times.

In December 2013, Kari Hunt Dunn was killed in a motel room in Marshall, Texas. Her nine year old daughter tried to call 911 four times. The motel phones needed a 9 first, and she did not know.

Texas passed a state version in 2015. The federal Kari’s Law Act was signed on February 16, 2018, and its requirements took effect two years later.

§What it requires

Two things, on every phone that can dial.

Direct dialing. A caller reaches 911 by dialing 911, without any extra digit, code, prefix or suffix.

Notification. If the system can be configured to do it without a hardware or software upgrade, it must notify a central location at the facility, or another person or organization, when someone dials 911. The FCC’s rules say the notice should go out at the same time as the call, must not delay it, and must go somewhere someone is likely to see or hear it.

§Who it applies to

The people who make, sell, install and run the system.

The law covers companies that manufacture, import, sell or lease multi-line phone systems, and businesses that install, manage or operate them. It applies to systems first sold, leased or installed after February 16, 2020. Some states have their own versions, so check yours too.

§What to check

Questions to ask about your own phone system.

The dial plan. Confirm with whoever runs your phones that 911 works from every phone without a prefix. Never test by calling 911.

The test. Dial 933, not 911. It is a test line that reads back the address and callback number your phone would send to dispatch, without reaching a 911 center. We advise doing it once a quarter, because phones get moved and things change that nobody tells us about.

The notification. Who is told when someone dials 911, and how: a screen alert, an email, a text or a call. Is that person there during the hours people are in the building?

Old habits. If 9 plus 911 still works, keep it working. The rule is that 911 alone must work, and people dial what they learned.

§How SPARK sets it up

Built in during the install, not left on your list.

We configure direct 911 dialing from every phone, set up notification to the people you choose, and put what the system does in writing. We will not tell you a phone system makes you compliant. That depends on your records being right and staying right.

§Questions

What people ask before they call.

Does Kari's Law apply to our older phone system?

The federal requirements apply to systems first sold, leased or installed after February 16, 2020. A system installed before then is not covered by the federal rule, though state rules may differ. Direct dialing is the safer setup either way.

Can people still dial 9 and then 911?

Yes. The rule is that 911 alone must work. A system can also accept 9 plus 911.

Who has to be notified?

The law says a central location at the facility, or another person or organization, wherever they are. You choose who: often the front office, a security desk or an administrator.

How do we test it?

Never by calling 911. Dial 933 instead. It is a test line that reads back the address and callback number your phone would send to dispatch, without reaching a 911 center. We advise doing it once a quarter, because phones get moved and things change that nobody tells us about.

Is this the same as RAY BAUM'S Act?

No. Kari’s Law is about reaching 911 and alerting people on site. RAY BAUM’S Act is about telling dispatch where the caller is. Most organizations handle both at the same time.

§Sources

Where this comes from.

This guide explains the rules in plain language. It is not legal advice.

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