New law requires phone systems direct access to 911

Kari’s Law is in effect in Texas after Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 788 last month.

Businesses, hotels and workplaces that require a person to dial the number 9 before making a phone call from a land line must change their phone systems to allow direct access to 911 in case of an emergency.

Kari Hunt died in 2013 in Marshall, Texas after she was attacked by her estranged husband.

Hunt was in a hotel room with her children when she was attacked. Her 9-year-old daughter tried calling 911 for help, but didn’t know she had to dial 9 to call out.

Hunt died before emergency crews arrived.

Since Kari’s death, her family has made it their mission to educate the public and elected officials across the country about the need to change multi-line phone systems so that 911 may be dialed directly.

“It’s going to help dispatchers and telecommunicators do their job. It’s going to save time when there’s an emergency. The whole idea behind this is to prevent confusion and delays,” said Frances Jimenez, programs manager for 911 El Paso.

Jimenez added, for most businesses, it is a simple reprogramming of a multi-line phone system.

Businesses owners who to test their systems should not call 911.

Contact 911 El Paso at info@elpaso911.org to arrange for testing.