E911 for Business Phones: What Kari’s Law and RAY BAUM’S Act Require

When someone dials 911 from your office, the call needs to go through immediately and reach dispatchers with the right location. Two federal rules, Kari’s Law and Section 506 of RAY BAUM’S Act, set requirements for multi-line telephone systems (MLTS) like the ones most businesses use.

Kari’s Law

Kari’s Law applies to multi-line phone systems manufactured, sold or installed after February 16, 2020. It requires two things:

• Direct dialing. Users must be able to dial 911 directly, without first dialing a prefix such as 9 to reach an outside line.
• On-site notification. When 911 is called, the system must notify a central location, such as a front desk or security team, where it can be configured to do so.

RAY BAUM’S Act (Section 506)

This rule requires that 911 calls from multi-line phone systems send a “dispatchable location,” meaning a street address plus details like the floor or suite number, so first responders can find the caller. The FCC set compliance dates of January 6, 2021, for fixed devices such as desk phones and January 6, 2022, for non-fixed devices such as softphones and mobile apps.

Why it matters for hybrid work

When employees move between the office, home and the road, their 911 location can change. Keeping locations up to date for desk phones, softphones and mobile apps is one of the most common gaps in E911 compliance.

How to stay compliant

1. Confirm every phone can dial 911 directly, with no prefix.
2. Set up 911 notifications to reach someone on-site.
3. Make sure each phone and user has an accurate dispatchable location, including floor or suite.
4. Review locations whenever you move offices, add a floor or change remote-work arrangements.

We can help

Advanced Hosted Services configures 911 dialing, notifications and location information as part of every hosted PBX installation, and our team is available 24×7 to help you keep it current. Request a quote or call 1-833-467-8331.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Consult the FCC’s guidance or your legal counsel for requirements specific to your organization.