2019 -- S 0224

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LC000661

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

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

TELEPHONE SYSTEM DIVISION

     

     Introduced By: Senators McCaffrey, and Goodwin

     Date Introduced: January 31, 2019

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 39-21 of the General Laws entitled "E-911 Uniform Emergency

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

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     39-21-18. Text-to-911 emergency system.

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     (a) It is hereby declared by the general assembly that the text-to-911 emergency system is

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a vital and necessary component of the emergency telephone system to assist citizens in the

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following emergency situations:

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     (i) Individuals alone and choking;

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     (ii) Individuals having an allergic reaction resulting in a swollen tongue or throat;

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     (iii) Individuals as victims of home invasions;

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     (iv) Students, staff, or employees hiding from an active shooter or intruder;

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     (v) Store clerks threatened by robbers; and

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     (vi) Any other situation where texting may be preferable to dialing 911.

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     (b) The E-911 uniform emergency telephone number division shall establish a single

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central statewide text-to-911 emergency system compatible with the present emergency telephone

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number system in accordance with chapter 21.1 of title 39.

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     (c) The text-to-911 system shall be developed pursuant to the provisions set forth in

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chapter 21.1 of title 39 and shall commence operation on January 1, 2020.

 

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     SECTION 2. 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 mandate that the E-911 uniform emergency telephone system division

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develop and commence operation of a text-to-911 emergency system on January 1, 2020.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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