Multi-Line Telephone Systems (MLTS)

Under Minnesota law, the owner/operator of a multi-line telephone system, including private branch exchange (PBX) systems, providing service in Minnesota is required to meet three general requirements:

  1. The telephone system provides accurate location information for the extension being used to call 9-1-1.
  2. The telephone number that is sent to 9-1-1 is a valid call back number for the location where the 9-1-1 caller is located, enabling the 9-1-1 telecommunicator to call the victim back in case more information is needed.
  3. The employees that are using the telephone system have been trained in how to dial 9-1-1 on the system. (e.g.  must dial 9 to get an outside line – then dial 9-1-1)

On February 16, 2018, the President signed Kari’s Law Act of 2017, which became Public Law (PL) 115-127.  This law requires multi-line telephone systems to have a configuration permitting users to directly dial 9-1-1 without having to dial any other digits.  This law applies to multi-line telephone systems “manufactured, imported, offered for first sale or lease, first sold or leased, or installed after the date that is 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.”

Passed and signed in 2018 as part of an omnibus bill, Ray Baum’s Act of 2018, which became part of Public Law (PL) 115-141, requires dispatchable location to be conveyed with 9-1-1 calls to allow for first responders to quickly find 9-1-1 callers. Dispatchable location includes the street address of the 9-1-1 caller as well as additional information such as floor or room number. These rules apply to fixed telephony, Interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services, Internet-based telecommunications relay services (TRS), and mobile text service.

The rules created by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for both Kari’s Law and Ray Baum’s Act were implemented and effective January 6, 2020.  The FCC provides guidance on compliance with both Kari’s Law and Ray Baum’s Act on its website.

Due to ongoing questions regarding MLTS 9-1-1 requirements, a report on 9-1-1 Requirements for Multi-Line Telephone Systems (MLTS) was created to provide additional information and answers for MLTS owners/operators/managers on statutory requirements of these systems in relation to 9-1-1.

If you are responsible for the management of a multi-line telephone system and have questions about how it works with 9-1-1, please contact the MESB’s 9-1-1 Manager at (651) 643-8377.