ST. PAUL, Minn. – New bipartisan legislation would require hotels to make calling 911 easier and faster for guests.

Under the bill – which was approved by the U.S. House and must still go before the full Senate – hotels would be required to update their emergency call software when undergoing a phone system upgrade. Currently, hotel guests often need to dial “9” or some other prefix before making a 911 call.

“If people don’t understand they don’t have to dial ‘9’ first before they dial 911, or if it’s a kid that is never going to figure it out, you literally lose lives,” said Sen. Amy Klobuchar during a press conference Tuesday at the Saint Paul Hotel, where hotel managers have already voluntarily upgraded their phone system.

The bill is named “Kari’s Law,” referring to Kari Hunt of Texas. In 2013, Hunt was murdered by her estranged husband at a hotel while her 9-year-old daughter unsuccessfully tried calling 911. The child in that case did not understand she had to dial “9” first.

“Kari’s story is tragic, but hers isn’t the only one,” said St. Paul Fire Marshal Steve Zaccard, adding, “In St. Paul, our firefighters and paramedics respond to hundreds of domestic violence calls.”

Other hotels have also voluntarily switched their software to allow the direct emergency calls, including Hilton Worldwide, Carlson Rezidor, Hyatt Hotels, Best Western, InterContinental Hotel Groups, LaQuinta Inn & Suites, Marriott Hotels, Motel6/Studio6, Starwood Hotels & Resort Worldwide and Wyndham Hotel Group.

Klobuchar said the bill is included in an amendment to the FCC bill that has already been approved by the commerce committee on its way to a full senate vote. The U.S. House has already passed similar legislation.