School districts in Oklahoma and across the nation may not be aware of the changes to 911 and how those changes must be implemented in their districts. The Oklahoma Technology Association wants to make sure that Oklahoma school districts are ready for this change. Here is what you need to know!
Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau Announces January 6, 2020, Effective Date of New Rules Implementing Kari's Law And Section 506 of RAY BAUM'S Act - 911 Changes: FCC’s Report and Order implementing Kari’s Law and RAY BAUM’s ACT (Vol. XVI, Issue 31)
Kari's law and RayBaum's Act are laws for the MLTS (Multi Line Telephone Systems). MLTS Operators/Installers have to correctly configure to meet compliance.
MLTS are anyone that have more then one phone line in their location, such as hotels, business offices, schools, etc.
What is Kari's Law :
1. Requires Multiline Telephone Systems (MLTS) "School Districts" to enable callers to place "911" calls with no prefix
Manufacturers/importers/sellers/lessors must preconfigure systems to enable direct-to-911, but can optionally allow other call patterns (e.g., 9-911)
Those installing/managing/operating MLTS must configure direct-to-911. You must be able to pick up a phone anywhere in a building and dial 911 without having to dial 9 to get an outside line and then dial 911.
2. Requires notification to another location or party of the emergency call. When 911 is dialed in a school, someone in the bldg. must also be notified. Such at secretary, principal or campus police.
What is the RayBaum Act :
3. Requires MLTS to ensure that dispatchable location is conveyed with a 911 call. Within one year of the effective date, “dispatchable location” information, such as the street address, floor level, and room number of a 911 caller must be conveyed with 911 calls from fixed MLTS devices.
The effective date was January 6, 2020, therefore all school districts must be able to provide dispatchable location data when 911 is dialed by January 6, 2021.
School districts that do not have the staff to preform these changes to their phone system should take caution and review any company that contacts them about providing this services. As these changes are very important to the safety of schools, making sure you use a company that can do that job and do it right the first time is critical.
Below is more information related to the new 911 regulations posted by the FCC recently and will take effect
Implementing Kari's Law and RAY BAUM'S Act; Inquiry Concerning 911 Access, Routing, and Location in Enterprise Communications Systems; Amending the Definition of Interconnected VoIP Service
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/12/05/2019-20137/implementing-karis-law-and-ray-baums-act-inquiry-concerning-911-access-routing-and-location-in
Shorter version:
https://www.natlawreview.com/article/telecom-alert-pai-asks-congress-to-revoke-t-band-auction-fcc-maintains-rf-exposure
The FCC’s Report and Order implementing Kari’s Law and RAY BAUM’s ACT (Vol. XVI, Issue 31) was published in the Federal Register last week, setting the effective date for January 6, 2020. Kari’s Law requires businesses and institutions that operate multi-line telephone systems (MLTS) to enable users to dial 911 directly without having to dial a prefix to reach an outside line. The rules also require MLTS to notify a front desk or security office when a 911 call is made to facilitate building entry by first responders. Within one year of the effective date, “dispatchable location” information, such as the street address, floor level, and room number of a 911 caller must be conveyed with 911 calls from fixed MLTS devices. For non-fixed MLTS devices (soft phones), MLTS providers must convey automated dispatchable location information when technically feasible but may rely on the MLTS end user to provide location information manually, subject to at least one alternative. This requirement will take effect two years from the effective date. Finally, the FCC’s 911 rules are now consolidated into a single rule part.