[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 20 (Monday, February 6, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E149]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 582, KARI'S LAW ACT OF 2017

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 6, 2017

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 582, the 
Kari's Law Act of 2017, which amends the Communications Act of 1934 to 
require multi-line telephone systems to have a configuration that 
permits users to directly initiate a call 9-1-1 without dialing any 
additional digit, code, prefix, or post-fix.
  As a senior member of the House Committees on Homeland Security and 
Judiciary, I am well aware of the importance of 9-1-1 services and some 
of the challenges of E-9-1-1 to ensure that those seeking emergency 
assistance receive the help they need.
  H.R. 582 would create parity for landline 9-1-1 services and 
smartphone E9-1-1 services so that emergency assistance request from 
either is treated the same.
  The bill requires that those engaged in the manufacturing, 
importation, sale, and lease of telecommunication service or devices 
pre-configured technology to dial 9-1-1.
  The goal of H.R. 582 is to ensure that all emergency calls regardless 
of the source are routed properly to emergency services.
  Kari's Law is not intended to alter the authority of State 
commissions or other State or local agencies with jurisdiction over 
emergency communications.
  The establishment of the Kari's Law Act acknowledges the importance 
of the configuration of multi-line telephones systems for direct 
dialing for 9-1-1.
  Over the past two decades, the personal communications of Americans 
have changed.
  The Wireless Association reported that the penetration of cellular 
devices surpassed 100 percent in 2012, and as of the latest 2014 
report, penetration is now at 110 percent.
  According to the Pew Research Center, 68 percent of U.S. adults have 
a smartphone, up from 35 percent in 2011, and tablet computer ownership 
has edged up to 45 percent among adults, according to newly released 
survey data from the Pew Research Center.
  Smartphone ownership is nearing the saturation point with some 
groups: 86 percent of those ages 18-29 have a smartphone, as do 83 
percent of those ages 30-49 and 87 percent of those living in 
households earning $75,000 and up annually.
  With so many mobile devices deployed the majority of calls to 9-1-1 
emergency public safety answering points (PSAP) originate from them.
  U.S. emergency dispatch agencies report that wireless callers are 
responsible for at least 80 percent of their emergency call volume.
  For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to Support H.R. 582, Kari's 
Law Act of 2017.

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