Kari’s Law Compliance: Ensure Your Business Meets 911 Regulations
What is Kari’s Law and Why It Matters for Your Business?
Imagine your employees dial 911 in an emergency, but the call never goes through. Fire, medical, or police assistance becomes critical in an instant—but a hidden phone system setting blocks the call from reaching emergency responders.
Would you be liable? Would your business face legal penalties? The answer is likely yes—and that’s why Kari’s Law exists.
Kari’s Law is a federal mandate ensuring that anyone using a multi-line telephone system (MLTS) can dial 911 directly, without needing to press an extra digit or prefix. Lawmakers enacted it to prevent tragedies caused by phone system restrictions and to improve emergency response times nationwide.
Failing to comply isn’t just risky—it’s illegal and can result in hefty fines and legal liability. In this guide, we’ll cover:
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What Kari’s Law requires
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Penalties for non-compliance
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How it differs from RAY BAUM’s Act
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How to ensure your business is compliant
Let’s break it down.
The History of Kari’s Law: A Tragic Case That Changed 911 Dialing
Kari’s Law was born out of a real-life tragedy. In 2013, an attacker brutally murdered Kari Hunt in a Texas hotel room. Her 9-year-old daughter tried calling 911 multiple times but couldn’t reach emergency services because the hotel’s phone system required dialing “9” first for an outside line.
Had the call gone through immediately, first responders may have arrived sooner—potentially changing the outcome.
This failure to connect led to the passage of Kari’s Law, ensuring that all phone systems allow direct 911 dialing without prefixes. Lawmakers signed the law into effect on February 16, 2018, requiring businesses nationwide to comply with MLTS system regulations.
Key Requirements of Kari’s Law
Direct 911 Dialing Without a Prefix
Your phone system must allow users to dial 911 directly—without pressing “9” or any other prefix.
Example:
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Non-compliant: Dialing 9 + 911 to reach emergency services
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Compliant: Dialing 911 connects immediately
Notify On-Site Personnel When Someone Dials 911
Businesses must alert a designated staff member (security, front desk, etc.) when someone dials 911. This ensures immediate internal awareness and faster response times.
Who Needs to Comply with Kari’s Law?
Any business or organization using multi-line telephone systems (MLTS) installed, manufactured, or upgraded after February 16, 2020, must comply. This includes:
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Office buildings
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Hotels and resorts
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Hospitals and healthcare facilities
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Schools and universities
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Government buildings
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Retail stores and malls
If you installed your system before 2020, you should upgrade for compliance, though it’s not legally required.
What Happens If You Violate Kari’s Law? (Penalties & Legal Risks)
Failing to comply with Kari’s Law isn’t just irresponsible—it carries legal and financial consequences.
Financial Penalties
The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) enforces Kari’s Law, and violations can result in:
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Fines of up to $10,000 per violation
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Additional fines of $500 per day for continued non-compliance
Legal Liability
If a 911 call fails due to non-compliance and results in harm, injury, or death, your business may face:
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Lawsuits from victims or their families
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Regulatory penalties from federal and state agencies
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Permanent reputational damage
Data Behind the Importance of Kari’s Law
According to the National Emergency Number Association (NENA):
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People place over 240 million 911 calls annually in the U.S.
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In 2021, the FCC fined businesses over $100,000 collectively for violations of Kari’s Law and RAY BAUM’s Act compliance.
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Non-compliance can lead to critical delays, affecting emergency response time and potentially resulting in loss of life.
When an emergency occurs, businesses cannot afford non-compliance. Ensuring your phone system meets Kari’s Law requirements can save lives and prevent financial and legal consequences.
How Kari’s Law Relates to RAY BAUM’s Act
Kari’s Law ensures direct 911 dialing, but it works hand-in-hand with RAY BAUM’s Act, which requires businesses to provide location data when calling 911.
What’s the Difference?
Why This Matters for Businesses
Emergency responders need precise location details to reach the right place quickly. Without compliance, a 911 call may only provide the building address but not the specific floor, suite, or room number, delaying response time.
How to Ensure Full Compliance
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Configure your MLTS system to support direct 911 dialing.
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Set up on-site emergency notifications for internal awareness.
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Ensure your system transmits accurate location data in accordance with RAY BAUM’s Act.
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Conduct regular compliance audits to prevent costly violations.
Kari’s Law Compliance – Frequently Asked Questions
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Kari’s Law was signed into law on February 16, 2018. It mandates that all multi-line telephone systems (MLTS) must allow direct dialing to 911 without requiring additional prefixes and that businesses provide on-site emergency notifications when a 911 call is made. This law applies to businesses, hotels, schools, hospitals, and government buildings with MLTS systems installed after February 16, 2020.
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Non-compliance can result in fines up to $10,000 per violation, plus $500 per day for continued non-compliance. Additionally, businesses may face federal enforcement actions, potential lawsuits from affected individuals, and reputational damage that can impact long-term operations.
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Kari’s Law applies to any business using a multi-line telephone system (MLTS) installed or updated after February 16, 2020. This includes office buildings, hotels, hospitals, schools, and government facilities that utilize MLTS for internal and external communication. If your system does not comply, you may be subject to fines and legal action. Regular compliance audits and upgrades to modern VoIP-based MLTS solutions can help businesses meet the requirements efficiently.
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Dial 911 from a test phone and confirm:
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Direct access to 911 without requiring a prefix or additional digits
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On-site alerts are automatically triggered and reach the designated personnel
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Accurate location data is transmitted in compliance with RAY BAUM’s Act
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Call routing functionality ensures emergency services receive the call without delay
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Periodic testing procedures are in place to maintain ongoing compliance
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Why Towner Communications is Your Compliance Partner
At Towner Communications, we specialize in 911 compliance solutions to keep your business safe and legally protected.
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We offer free compliance assessments
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We upgrade outdated phone systems for full Kari’s Law and RAY BAUM’s Act compliance
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We provide 24/7 support to ensure your system stays operational
Non-compliance isn’t just a risk—it’s a lawsuit waiting to happen. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Schedule your 911 Compliance Audit today. Free assessments available for a limited time.
