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A 1772

Relates to ensuring access to emergency services via telephone

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Fitzpatrick

Summary of A 1772 - Ensuring Access to Emergency Services OverviewThis bill, introduced on January 14, 2025, aims to improve access to emergency services through telephone communic

REFERRED TO GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS
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Bill Summary · A 1772

Summary of A 1772 - Ensuring Access to Emergency Services

Overview

This bill, introduced on January 14, 2025, aims to improve access to emergency services through telephone communications. It builds upon previous legislative efforts, including A 9142, A 6636, A 5893, A 5594, and A 4380.

Purpose

The primary intent of this bill is to ensure that all residents, regardless of location or telecommunications provider, can reliably and quickly access emergency services by dialing 9-1-1 or other designated emergency numbers. This is particularly important for individuals living in rural or remote areas that may have limited access to reliable telephone networks.

Key Provisions

The bill includes the following key provisions:

  1. Mandate for Universal 9-1-1 Access: Requires all telecommunications providers to ensure that their customers can access 9-1-1 emergency services from any landline or mobile phone, regardless of subscription status or account standing.

  2. Rural Connectivity Improvements: Directs state funding and programs to improve telephone network infrastructure in underserved rural and remote communities, with the goal of providing reliable 9-1-1 access.

  3. Emergency Call Routing Enhancements: Enhances the 9-1-1 call routing system to better identify caller location and direct calls to the appropriate local emergency response center, reducing response times.

  4. Monitoring and Reporting: Establishes requirements for telecommunications providers to regularly monitor their 9-1-1 service performance and report any issues or outages to state authorities.

Affected Parties

This bill would impact several key stakeholders:

  • Residents: All state residents would benefit from improved access to emergency services, particularly those living in rural or remote areas.
  • Telecommunications Providers: Providers would be required to upgrade infrastructure and implement new 9-1-1 routing and monitoring systems to comply with the bill's mandates.
  • Emergency Response Agencies: Local and state emergency response agencies would receive more accurate caller location information and faster 9-1-1 call routing, enhancing their ability to respond effectively.

Timeline and Next Steps

The bill has been referred to the Governmental Operations committee for consideration. If passed by the legislature and signed into law, the provisions would likely be phased in over a multi-year period to allow telecommunications providers sufficient time to make the necessary infrastructure and system upgrades.

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

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