Kari's Law and RAY BAUM's Act: What Every Hotel Owner Must Know

Updated October 2026.

Two federal laws govern how a hotel phone system handles 911: Kari's Law and Section 506 of RAY BAUM's Act. Together they decide whether a guest can reach 911, whether your staff knows about it, and whether responders can find the right room. Here is what each one requires, when it took effect, and which systems it covers.

Why Kari's Law exists

In December 2013, Kari Hunt was killed by her estranged husband in a motel room in Marshall, Texas. Her 9-year-old daughter tried to call 911 four times from the room phone. Every call failed, because the motel's phone system required dialing "9" for an outside line first.

Her father, Hank Hunt, campaigned for a federal fix. Kari's Law was signed on February 16, 2018, and its requirements took effect two years later, on February 16, 2020.

What Kari's Law requires

Kari's Law applies to multi-line telephone systems (MLTS): hotel and motel PBXs, office phone systems, campuses. It has two parts:

1. Direct 911 dialing. Anyone must be able to dial 911 from any phone on the system without a prefix: no "9", no access code, no extra digits.
2. On-site notification. When someone dials 911, the system must alert a person who can help: the front desk, security, or a designated person or office, on site or off. The alert must reach somewhere someone is likely to see or hear it. It must happen at the same time as the 911 call without delaying it. Where technically feasible, it must include the fact that a 911 call was made, a valid callback number, and the caller's location.

Many systems also let "9-911" still connect, because guests dial it out of habit. That is good practice, but the law doesn't require it. What it requires is that plain 911 works.

What RAY BAUM's Act adds: room-level location

RAY BAUM's Act was signed on March 23, 2018. Section 506 directed the FCC to make sure 911 calls carry a dispatchable location: the street address plus details such as room number, floor, or building, so responders can find the caller. The FCC adopted the rules for MLTS in August 2019. They phased in:

• January 6, 2021: fixed phones, like the corded phone in each guest room, must send an automated dispatchable location.
• January 6, 2022: non-fixed devices, such as cordless or Wi-Fi handsets and softphones, must provide location as well. It must be automated where technically feasible; otherwise it can be manually updated or come from an alternative location method.

On a 90-room property, that's the difference between dispatchers hearing "123 Main Street" and "123 Main Street, Building B, Room 214."

Does this apply to my hotel's existing phone system?

Both laws are forward-looking. They apply to systems manufactured, imported, sold, leased, or installed after the dates above:

• Installed after February 16, 2020: direct dialing and notification apply.
• Installed after January 6, 2021 (fixed phones) or January 6, 2022 (other devices): dispatchable location applies too.

A system installed before February 2020 is generally grandfathered. That is not the same as safe. A guest in an emergency has no idea how old your PBX is. And the moment you replace or newly install a system, every requirement applies on day one. If your system is reaching end of life, build these requirements into the purchase.

Who is responsible?

The rules cover the whole chain: manufacturers, importers, sellers and lessors must ship systems that are pre-configured for direct 911 dialing. Installers, managers and operators, which includes the hotel, must configure and run the system so that direct dialing, notification and location actually work. Buying a capable system is not enough if it's installed wrong.

How to check your system

• Ask your vendor in writing: does 911 work with no prefix from every phone, including rooms blocked from outside calls? Does the front desk alert fire at the same time as the 911 call? How does each room's location reach 911?
• Use the 933 test. Many carriers support 933, a test number that reads back the address and callback number your line sends, with no dispatcher involved. Dial it from several rooms and confirm what you hear matches each room.
• Don't place test calls to 911 without coordinating with your local 911 center. They tie up dispatchers.

This article is general information, not legal advice. The federal rules are at 47 CFR § 9.16; your state may add requirements.

Replacing a hotel phone system?

If you're pricing a replacement, see our hotel phone system cost breakdown and the DiaVoice Hospitality Edition. Call 256-724-3100 and we'll walk through these requirements for your property.