In 2013, Kari Rene Hunt was murdered by her estranged husband in a hotel room; When Kari’s 9-year-old daughter tried to dial 9-1-1 for help she could not reach emergency personnel because she did not dial “9” to reach an outside line

Kari’s Law would require manufacturers of multi-line telephone systems to create systems that allow callers to reach 9-1-1 without a prefix or postfix

WASHINGTON, DC – Today U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) announced that their bipartisan legislation to make contacting emergency personnel simpler and easier has passed the Senate. In 2013, Kari Rene Hunt of Marshall, Texas, was murdered by her estranged husband in a hotel room. When Kari’s 9-year-old daughter tried to dial 9-1-1 for help, she could not reach emergency personnel because she did not dial “9” to reach an outside line. Kari’s Law would require the manufacturers of multi-line telephone systems (MLTS) to create systems that allow callers to reach 9-1-1 without dialing a prefix or postfix. The bill would also require on-site notification to make it easier for first responders to locate 9-1-1 callers in large buildings. Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI), John Cornyn (R-TX), John Thune (R-SD), and Ted Cruz (R-TX) are original cosponsors of the legislation.

“Whether you’re a worker at a big office building or a family staying in a hotel, dialing 9-1-1 should always connect us with people who can help,” Klobuchar said. “Today’s vote brings us one step closer to enacting this simple measure that will help make people safer and streamline reaching first responders in emergency situations.”

“I am pleased to see the Senate pass our bipartisan legislation to help keep families safe. Kari’s Law makes a simple and common-sense change to ensure people across our country can call for help in an emergency. I hope to work with my House colleagues to continue to move this bill forward, so tragedies like Kari’s don’t happen again,” Fischer said.

Kari’s Law builds on the progress of industry leaders like the American Hotel and Lodging Association to ensure that anyone dialing 9-1-1 on any phone can reach emergency personnel. It would be another step forward in making sure dialing 9-1-1 to reach emergency personnel is as simple and easy as possible. Last year, the legislation passed the Senate Commerce Committee as part of the Federal Communications Commission Reauthorization Act of 2016.

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