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Bill

B 26-0546

E911 Modernization Amendment Act of 2025

26th Council Period (2025-2026) Introduced by Christina Henderson

D.C. updates 911 infrastructure with modern technology for faster emergency response, improved location accuracy, and support for texts/video calls in emergencies.

Public Hearing on B26-0546
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · B 26-0546

Legislative bill overview

Bill B 26-0546 modernizes Washington, D.C.'s Emergency 911 system by updating infrastructure, technology, and operational standards to meet current telecommunications capabilities and emergency response needs. The bill addresses outdated systems that struggle with call volume, location accuracy, and integration with newer communication platforms.

Why is this important

E911 systems are critical infrastructure for public safety—poor performance directly affects emergency response times and can cost lives. As technology evolves and D.C.'s population grows, legacy systems become bottlenecks that may fail during high-demand situations and cannot handle texts, video, or location data from modern phones.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and funding source: E911 modernization is capital-intensive; unclear whether costs fall on taxpayers, telecom carriers, or a shared model
  • Implementation timeline: Major system overhauls risk service disruptions if not carefully managed; phasing strategy and contingency plans are critical
  • Privacy and data collection: Enhanced location tracking and multimedia capabilities raise questions about data retention, access controls, and law enforcement use limits

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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