Businesses utilizing a multi-line telephone system that provides outbound dialing must now be in compliance with Kari’s Law, which requires direct access to 9-1-1 service without the user having to first dial an initial number, digit, prefix or other access number or code before being able to call out of the system.

On May 15, 2015, Governor Abbott signed Senate Bill 788 (Kari’s Law). The law is the result of efforts to make it easier for callers to dial 9-1-1 during an emergency after the murder of Kari Hunt in a motel room in Marshall, Texas. Ms. Hunt’s 9-year-old daughter tried to call 9-1-1 for help four separate times from the motel room phone. The call never went through because Kari did not know to first dial “9” for an outbound line before dialing 9-1-1. On March 1, 2016, Commission on State Emergency Communications Rule 251.16 (Direct Access to 9-1-1 Service) adopted to implement Kari’s Law went into effect.

All businesses are now required to be in compliance with Kari’s Law by September 1, 2016, or request a waiver until their system can be updated with the new feature. For more information about Kari’s Law and to request a waiver for your business’ multi-line telephone system, visit: www.texas911.org