When a guest picks up the phone in an emergency, there is no time to figure out a dialing prefix or explain which room they are in. Two federal rules, Kari’s Law and Section 506 of RAY BAUM’S Act, were written to remove exactly those obstacles for multi-line telephone systems like the ones used in hotels, offices and campuses.
Why these rules exist
Kari’s Law is named after Kari Hunt, who was killed in a motel room in Texas in 2013. Her young daughter tried to call 911 several times, but the phone system required dialing 9 for an outside line first. The law that followed is meant to keep that from happening again.
What Kari’s Law requires
- Direct 911 dialing. Anyone must be able to reach 911 by dialing just those three digits, with no prefix such as 9 or 8.
- On-site notification. Where the system can be configured to do so, a 911 call should also alert someone on the property, such as the front desk or security, so staff can meet responders and guide them to the right room.
The FCC rules apply to systems manufactured, imported, sold or installed after February 16, 2020. Older systems that are upgraded or replaced are expected to meet them.
What RAY BAUM’S Act adds
Section 506 focuses on dispatchable location: the information a 911 center needs to find the caller. For a hotel that means more than the street address. It can include the building, floor and room number. FCC rules have required this for fixed phones since February 2021, and for phones that can move around a property, such as softphones and wireless handsets, since January 2022.
A 911 call that reaches the right dispatcher but says only “123 Main Street” can still leave responders searching a 200-room property.
A practical checklist for your property
- Test direct dialing from a sample of guest rooms, lobby and courtesy phones, meeting rooms and back-office extensions. Coordinate with your 911 service provider before placing any test calls.
- Confirm the notification reaches a place that is staffed around the clock, and that staff know what to do when it appears.
- Check the location data in your phone system and 911 service. Room numbers, floors and buildings should match what is physically on the doors.
- Keep it current. Renovations, renumbered rooms and moved phones are the most common reasons location data goes stale.
- Review wireless and softphone users so that calls from staff handsets report a useful location.
- Document the setup, including who to call for changes and when the configuration was last verified.
How we help
As a Mitel Hospitality Expert, Active Telephones configures hotel phone systems with direct 911 dialing, front desk notification and location information built in, and we review existing systems for properties that are not sure where they stand. If your property has been renovated or your phone system is several years old, it is worth a check.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Contact your 911 service provider or legal counsel for requirements that apply to your specific property.
