What is Kari’s Law?
Born from a heartfelt campaign for safer emergency communications, Kari’s Law is a crucial evolution in emergency communication systems. It particularly impacts how multi-line telephone systems (MLTS) in business environments function.
Enacted on February 16, 2018, with full compliance required by February 16, 2020, this legislation mandates direct 911 dialing and real-time notification capabilities. It eliminates the need for any preliminary digits to reach outside lines, thus ensuring immediate and unfettered access to emergency services.
The core tenets of Kari’s Law require:
- Direct dialing to 911: Anyone can dial 911 directly from your business’s multi-line telephone system (MLTS) without dialing an additional digit or prefix like “9” for an outside line. (Although, best practice is to configure both 9-1-1 and 9-9-1-1 to route to the appropriate PSAP)
- Notification of emergency calls: Upon initiating a 911 call, Kari’s Law necessitates that designated personnel within your organization are promptly notified. Such alerts could be delivered via phone call, email, SMS/text message, or on-screen notification to ensure that staff can provide immediate aid and guide emergency responders quickly and efficiently to the site of the emergency.
The backstory behind Kari’s Law
Inspired by the tragic story of Kari Hunt Dunn, this pivotal legislation emerged as a testament to her family’s perseverance. Her family championed the law after she was killed, and her 9-year-old daughter was unable to reach emergency services because she didn’t know she had to dial “9” to get an outside line before calling 911 at the hotel where they were staying.
Kari’s family turned their grief into advocacy, and their determination illuminated a critical need for change in emergency communications. Kari’s Law symbolizes a significant leap towards intuitiveness and safety, marking a future where access to help is straightforward for everyone, everywhere.
Why does Kari’s Law matter?
Compliance with Kari’s Law is more than a required tick box; it’s an opportunity to strengthen the safety net of your workplace. It reassures your team and your clients that, on your premises, help is just a quick call away.
The bottom line
Adopting Kari’s Law within your business clearly expresses your commitment to safety, compliance, and the well-being of everyone who walks through your doors. It’s about leveraging technology, not just for operational efficiency but as a tool to create a safer, more responsive environment.
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The information provided in this glossary definition does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice, nor does it necessarily represent Bandwidth's products or business practices. This page is for general informational purposes only.
