E911 Regulations & Compliance

Learn about state and federal E911 and MLTS regulations that impact you, including Kari’s Law and RAY BAUM’s Act.

 


FCC VOIP E911 REGULATIONS

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has established a set of rules and E911 regulations that require interconnected VoIP service providers to deliver E911 services to their subscribers. Interconnected VoIP service providers connect the IP realm and the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), allowing subscribers to benefit from increased efficiency by routing calls over the internet.

The E911 regulations established by the FCC are mandatory for all interconnected VoIP service providers, and are designed to protect the safety of VoIP users who expect that when they dial 911, emergency responders know exactly where they are and will quickly arrive on-scene. The Commission’s 911 rules can be found below in 47 CFR Part 9, Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR) and those specific to Interconnected VoIP services are found in Subpart D.

47 CFR Part 9, Subpart D

Subpart D—Interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol Services

Federal Regulation

In the Matter of Implementing Kari’s Law and Section 506 of RAY BAUM’S Act (PS Docket No. 18-261), Inquiry Concerning 911 Access, Routing, and Location in Enterprise Communications Systems (PS Docket No. 17-239), and Amending the Definition of Interconnected VoIP Service in Section 9.3 of the Commission’s Rules, (GN Docket No. 11-117); Report and Order, adopted: August 1, 2019, released: August 2, 2019; FCC 19-76.


FEDERAL MLTS E911 LAWS AND REGULATIONS

On August 1, 2019, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted rules to implement Kari’s Law and Section 506 of RAY BAUM’S Act to help Americans reach 911 services more quickly. These new federal regulatory obligations mean that enterprises operating Multi-Line Telephone Services (MLTS) are required to provide the following:

  1. Direct access to 911 without dialing any prefix, post-fix or trunk access code, as required by Kari’s Law
  2. Notify on-site security whenever 911 is dialed within the enterprise, as required by Kari’s Law
  3. Provide a dispatchable location with every 911 call, as required by Section 506 of RAY BAUM’S Act

Enterprises with fixed MTLS phones are to comply with the new requirements by January 6, 2021*, while businesses with non-fixed MLTS devices on- and off-premises are to fulfill their regulatory obligations no later than January 6, 2022*.

The rules are applicable to MLTS that is manufactured, imported, offered for first sale or lease, first sold or leased, or installed after February 16, 2020.

To download a short overview of the FCC’s 911 rules, click here.

*These requirements are applicable to multi-line telephone systems manufactured, imported, offered for first sale or lease, first sold or leased after February 16, 2020. 

Federal Legislation

Federal Regulation

In the Matter of Implementing Kari’s Law and Section 506 of RAY BAUM’S Act (PS Docket No. 18-261), Inquiry Concerning 911 Access, Routing, and Location in Enterprise Communications Systems (PS Docket No. 17-239), and Amending the Definition of Interconnected VoIP Service in Section 9.3 of the Commission’s Rules, (GN Docket No. 11-117); Report and Order, adopted: August 1, 2019, released: August 2, 2019; FCC 19-76.

 

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STATE MLTS E911 LAWS AND REGULATIONS

Many states have laws and regulations regarding 911 service as it applies to enterprises. These laws and regulations vary from basic guidelines concerning access to 911 and dialing prefixes, to specific requirements regarding notifications and detailed location delivery to the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). Enterprises operating in states that have implemented or are considering 911 regulations should work with their advisors to ensure that they have taken adequate measures to attain compliance with any applicable or pending 911 legislation.

The following are general summaries of applicable E911 laws and regulations by state, as well as links to the 911 legislation or regulations themselves. These summaries should not be taken as official records of state law, but are instead for informational use only. Again, Intrado recommends that organizations work with their regulatory advisors and legal teams to understand how these 911 laws and regulations will impact their operations.

For a downloadable summary please click here.

Existing E911 Legislation

 


CRTC E911 REGULATIONS

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has established decision 2007-44, which requires VoIP service providers to make 911 services available to their fixed/non-native and nomadic VoIP subscribers. VoIP service providers connect the IP realm and the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), allowing subscribers to benefit from increased efficiency by routing calls over the Internet.

The CRTC decision obliges VoIP service providers to deliver all 911 calls to the appropriate Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) using the zero-dialed emergency call routing service (0-ECRS), rather than PSAP low-priority lines. Adherence to this decision is mandatory for all VoIP service providers offering services in Canada, and is designed to protect the safety of VoIP users who expect that when they dial 911, they will quickly be connected to qualified emergency responders.

To view CRTC decision 2007-44, which establishes the regulations for VoIP 911 in Canada, click here (www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2007/dt2007-44.htm).

Last Updated: 8/8/2023