House · HR 5201 · 119th Congress
Kari's Law Reporting Act
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Summary
This bill tells the FCC to publish a report within 180 days about how well Kari's Law is working. Kari's Law requires office phone systems to let users dial 911 directly without pressing extra numbers first. The report must cover how many phone makers are following the law and suggest fixes if needed.
In Favor
Many people in offices or hotels cannot reach 911 quickly because their phone systems require extra steps. This report would show whether phone makers are actually following the law. Finding gaps now could save lives by pushing faster fixes to a real problem.
Against
This bill only asks for a report and does not require any new action from the FCC or phone makers. It adds a task for the agency but leaves real fixes for later. People in danger today would see no direct help from this bill alone.
Additional Considerations
Purpose & Problem
Is the problem real and worth federal action?
The bill tells the FCC to publish a report on how well Kari's Law is being followed. Kari's Law requires multi-line phone systems to let users dial 911 directly, without entering any extra code first.
Scope & Related Provisions
Does it stay focused, or carry unrelated add-ons?
The bill stays focused on its core goal: ordering one report on one existing law. The provisions do not include any additions unrelated to that reporting task.
Who Is Affected
Who benefits, and who bears the cost?
The FCC must write and publish the report within 180 days. Makers and sellers of multi-line phone systems are the groups whose compliance the report will examine.
Cost & Funding
Is it affordable and responsibly funded?
The bill does not authorize or appropriate any dollar amount. It shifts a reporting duty onto the FCC, which must use existing agency staff and resources to research and publish the report.
Risks & Implementation
What could go wrong in practice?
The FCC must gather compliance data from manufacturers and vendors within a strict 180-day window. If those companies do not respond fully, the report may have gaps that limit its usefulness to Congress.
For the actual bill text, see congress.gov.
AI-generated · Published 5/31/2026