What Is…

RAY BAUM’S Act?

RAY BAUM’S Act was signed into law in 2018. The law is named after the late lawyer and politician Ray Baum due to his significant work in Congress on telecommunications issues. It’s also an acronym that stands for Repack Airwaves Yielding Better Access for Users of Modern Services.

The law acknowledges that 911 personnel need more than basic address information when dispatching first responders to an emergency. It requires enterprises with multi-line telephone systems to provide sub-address dispatchable location data to 911 call takers.

What Does…

RAY BAUM’S Act do?

This omnibus bill included several communications-related initiatives, but Section 506 focuses specifically on 911 emergency services. RAY BAUM’S Act Section 506 requires the FCC to ensure that organizations using multi-line systems provide dispatchable locations to public safety professionals during a 911 call.

In August 2019, the FCC adopted rules implementing two federal laws. Under Kari’s Law, the FCC adopted rules requiring direct 911 dialing without an access code, the direct routing of all 911 calls to the designated primary PSAP/ECC, and a mechanism for on-site notification when a call occurs. Under the RAY BAUM’S Act, the FCC adopted rules requiring a dispatchable location be delivered both internally and to the 911 center contemporaneously. A dispatchable location is defined as the validated street address, plus additional information to locate the caller, including the building, floor, suite or room number. This subaddress information has historically been costly to implement and operationally difficult to manage. As a result of Next Generation 911 information enhancements and intelligent NG911 networks, this new technology is more affordable and cost-effective than legacy infrastructure and delivers relevant location and information at the same time.

Initially, two deadlines were set to meet the RAY BAUM’S Act requirements following the creation of the law. Both deadlines have now passed, but it’s still critical that organizations get into compliance if they have not already, as substantial penalties apply and liability has increased.