2016 -- H 7748

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LC004801

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS - E-911 UNIFORM EMERGENCY

TELEPHONE SYSTEM DIVISION

     Introduced By: Representative Kathleen A. Fogarty

     Date Introduced: February 25, 2016

     Referred To: House Corporations

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Sections 39-21-1, 39-21-2 and 39-21-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 39-

21 entitled "E-911 Uniform Emergency Telephone System Division" are hereby amended to read

as follows:

     39-21-1. Legislative findings. -- It is hereby found and disclosed that:

      (1) E-911 uniform emergency telephone system is a feasible service and would be

beneficial for the citizens of Rhode Island.

      (2) E-911 uniform emergency telephone system employs features that contribute to the

protection of life and property and add to the operational efficiency of various public safety

agencies.

      (3) E-911 uniform emergency telephone system affords our residents a more simple and

faster means to request assistance in an emergency and, in addition, enables the various agencies

to process emergency calls in a more efficient manner than at present.

      (4) E-911 uniform emergency telephone system benefits are extremely valuable and this

service would be an enhancement to the quality of life throughout our state.

     (5) Changes in consumer habits require that the state E-911 uniform emergency telephone

system take the steps necessary to ensure that its operating capabilities are in line with new

technologies and practices.

     39-21-2. Establishment of the E-911 uniform emergency telephone system division. -

- There is hereby established within the department of public safety the E-911 uniform emergency

telephone system division with all powers and authority necessary for acquiring, planning,

designing, constructing, extending, improving, operating, and maintaining, and updating the

uniform emergency telephone system in this state to conform with national standards and support

national internetworking of 9-1-1 services.

     39-21-5. Other references to E-9-1-1 Uniform Emergency Telephone System --

References to "the project" or to "9-1-1 system". -- (a) Wherever in the Rhode Island general

laws, chapters 21 and 21.1 of title 39, reference is made to the "E-911 uniform emergency

telephone system", or to "the E-9-1-1 Uniform Emergency Telephone System Authority", or to

"the E-9-1-1 authority", or to "the division" or to "E-9-1-1" or to "Next Generation 9-1-1", or

"NG 9-1-1" or "Text-to-9-1-1", as an entity, it shall be deemed to mean the E-911 uniform

emergency telephone system division within the executive department.

      (b) Wherever in the Rhode Island general laws, chapters 21 and 21.1 of title 39,

reference is made to "the project" or to "911 system," it shall be deemed to mean the E-9-1-1

uniform emergency telephone system and its respective functions and operations.

     SECTION 2. Chapter 39-21 of the General Laws entitled "E-911 Uniform Emergency

Telephone System Division" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     39-21-17. Next generation 911. – The E-911 uniform emergency telephone system

division shall take all steps necessary to implement "Next Generation-9-1-1", "NG 9-1-1", or

"Text-to-9-1-1" technologies as soon as practicable, and report back to the general assembly no

later than March 30, 2017, a timeline that anticipates the date of completion.

     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS - E-911 UNIFORM EMERGENCY

TELEPHONE SYSTEM DIVISION

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     This act would require the E-911 Uniform Emergency telephone system division to

update the system by allowing users to access the system by text, video and other methods.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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