The Calvert County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) reminds residents and business owners to ensure their multi-line telephone systems provide direct access to 911, without requiring the caller to dial any numbers first for an “outside line,” as required by state and federal law. Multi-line telephone systems are typically found in hotels and office buildings.

Kari’s Law is named in honor of Kari Hunt, who was killed by her estranged husband in a Texas motel room in December 2013. Hunt’s young daughter attempted to contact 911 multiple times but was unable to reach emergency services as she was unaware the phone required her to dial “9” to reach an outside line to connect the call. Kari’s Law was enacted in Maryland in 2015 and became a federal law in 2018 and went into full effect on Feb. 16, 2020. Federal Communications Commission rules require any new system to be pre-configured to support direct dialing of 911 in compliance with Kari’s Law; however, these rules apply only to system models that were manufactured, imported, offered for first sale or lease, or installed after Feb. 16, 2020.

To schedule a test of your phone system, contact the Department of Public Safety, Emergency Communications Division, at 410-535-3491.  For questions or additional information, contact Emergency Communications Chief Stanley Harris at 410-535-1600, ext. 8626. To learn more about Kari’s Law visit  www.calvertcountymd.gov/KarisLaw.

Find information on Calvert County Government services online at www.CalvertCountyMd.gov. Stay up to date with Calvert County Government on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CalvertCountyMd and YouTube at www.youtube.com/CalvertCountyGov.