Important updates to 911 Multiline Telephone System Requirements

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Abilita Inc.wrote an article on changes coming to the 911 system in the September/October issue of The Review magazine. They have now provided an update to that article.

Since the article 911 Changes in Michigan and How they Affect You was published in the September/October issue of The Review magazine, Governor Whitmer signed into law Public Act 30 (HB 4249).  Here are some of the key takeaways:

  • All organizations with a multiple line phone system and workspace capacity of greater than 20,000 square feet and more than 20 communication devices need to be able to send the specific location of each caller (meaning a room or unit number, room name, or equivalent unique designation of a portion of a structure or building to which a 9-1-1 emergency response team may be dispatched, and the caller quickly located, not greater than 7,000 square feet) to the 911 dispatch center.
  • The new requirements apply to locations with more than 7,000 square feet of workspace. Those with multiple buildings and/or floors also need to be in compliance regardless of square footage.
  • Single-floor locations that have less than 20,000 square feet of workspace and fewer than 20 communications devices would be exempt from these requirements until the installation of a new MLTS system after January 1, 2020.

A multiline telephone operator in violation of the act after December 31, 2020, would have to provide to the Michigan Public Service Commission and the Emergency 9-1-1 Service Committee information on the failure to meet the deadline and, within 60 days after the violation, provide a plan to remedy the failure within six months. Additionally, the operator could be assessed a $500 to $5,000 fine per offense. An operator with 50 or fewer employees could be assessed a fine of up to $500 per offense.

You can review language and the full analysis of the public act here.

Herasanna Richards is a legislative associate handling energy, environmental, external municipal services and election issues for the League.  She can be reached at hrichards@mml.org or 517-908-0309.