Media Contact: 
Tina Pelkey, (202) 418-0536
Tina.Pelkey@fcc.gov 

For Immediate Release

KARI’S LAW REQUIREMENTS FOR 911 DIRECT CALLING FROM MULTI-LINE PHONES TAKE EFFECT ON FEBRUARY 17
Chairman Pai Has Been Working with Hank Hunt for Years to Make This a Reality 

WASHINGTON, February 14, 2020—Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai today welcomed the forthcoming February 17, 2020 effective date of Kari’s Law, which will require multi-line telephone systems to directly route 911 calls, without the need to dial a prefix to reach an outside line.  Chairman Pai has been working with Kari’s father, Hank Hunt, since 2013 for this change.

“More than six years ago, Hank Hunt launched a campaign to change phone systems so other families would not suffer a tragedy like his own,” said Chairman Pai.  “We are all taught from a very young age to dial 911 for emergencies.  But because hotel phones required guests to dial 9 before calling 911, the calls for help placed by Kari’s daughter never went through.  Thanks to Hank’s courage and dedication, Kari’s Law was enacted to change this.  

“Starting next week, it will be easier for Americans in hotels, office buildings, and campuses to dial 911 and get help from first responders during emergencies—and it will save lives.  It has been an honor to work alongside Hank throughout the years and an inspiration to see how one brave, determined person can make such a positive difference.  As the compliance date approaches, this is a reminder to building managers and others responsible for multi-line telephone systems that they must adhere to the new requirements going forward.”

Kari’s Law is named in honor of Kari Hunt, who was killed by her estranged husband in a motel room in Marshall, Texas in 2013.  Her then-nine-year-old daughter tried to call 911 four times from the motel room phone, but the calls never went through because she did not know that the motel’s phone system required dialing “9” for an outbound line before dialing 911.

After hearing about this tragedy, then-Commissioner Pai launched an inquiry by sending letters to the 10 largest hotel chains in the country, asking if guests can reach an emergency responder directly.  He also called for 911 direct dialing at the FCC’s building.  In 2018, Congress passed Kari’s Law, which requires new multi-line telephone systems to enable users to dial 911 directly, without having to dial a prefix to reach an outside line.  Kari’s Law also requires such systems to provide notification, such as to a front desk or security office, when a 911 call is made in order to facilitate building entry by first responders.

Last year, the FCC adopted rules to implement Kari’s Law.  The compliance date is February 17, 2020.  The FCC has published information to assist stakeholders, including manufacturers, vendors, and owners of multi-line telephone systems, with compliance. 

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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).