Kari's Law Reporting Act
Last recorded step: House, Apr 22, 2026.
Nothing scheduled on the calendars we hold.
This bill would require the FCC to report on compliance with and enforcement of laws requiring direct 9-1-1 dialing from office phones.
What it does
This bill would require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to issue a report regarding the enforcement of Kari’s Law, which mandates that multiline telephone systems allow direct 9-1-1 dialing without prefixes. The report would summarize manufacturer and vendor compliance, identify obstacles to meeting these requirements, and provide recommendations for potential policy or legislative improvements.
Who is affected
This bill affects the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which is tasked with reporting on the enforcement of existing 9-1-1 dialing requirements. The legislation also impacts manufacturers and vendors of multiline telephone systems, as the required report will evaluate their level of compliance and identify any obstacles they face in meeting legal standards. Additionally, users of these telephone systems are affected by the oversight of direct 9-1-1 dialing capabilities.
Key provisions
- FCC report on Kari’s Law enforcement. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must publish a report regarding the enforcement of requirements for multiline telephone systems to allow direct 9-1-1 dialing without prefixes or codes.
- Assessment of manufacturer and vendor compliance. The report must summarize the level of compliance among multiline telephone system manufacturers and vendors, including any obstacles they face in meeting the law's requirements.
- Recommendations for policy and legislative improvements. The FCC is required to provide recommendations for potential improvements to agency policy or new legislation to enhance the effectiveness of the law.
Fiscal impact
- H.R. 5201, Kari’s Law Reporting Act· As ordered reported by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on January 21, 2026
Effective dates
Not applicable: Official Summary does not address effective dates
Relationship to existing law
This bill directs the Federal Communications Commission to report on the enforcement of and compliance with Kari’s Law, an existing statute that requires multiline telephone systems to allow direct dialing of 9-1-1 without prefixes or additional codes.
Stated purpose
The bill aims to evaluate and improve the implementation of direct 9-1-1 dialing requirements for multiline telephone systems by requiring the Federal Communications Commission to report on manufacturer compliance, identify obstacles to adherence, and provide recommendations for policy or legislative enhancements.