Maryland Statutes
Subtitle 3 - 9-1-1 Emergency Telephone System
Section 1-314 - Multiple-Line Telephone Systems -- Direct Dial (Kari's Law)

(a)    In this section, “multiple–line telephone system” means a system that:
        (1)    consists of common control units, telephone sets, control hardware and software, and adjunct systems, including network and premises–based systems; and
        (2)    is designed to aggregate more than one incoming voice communication channel for use by more than one telephone.
    (b)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a person that installs or operates a multiple–line telephone system shall ensure that the system is connected to the public switched telephone network in such a way that when an individual using the system dials 9–1–1, the call connects to the public safety answering point without requiring the user to dial any other number or set of numbers.
        (2)    A unit of the Executive Branch of State government shall comply with paragraph (1) of this subsection on the date that the multiple–line telephone system of the unit is next upgraded.
    (c)    (1)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this subtitle and except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a county’s or municipality’s designee shall be responsible for enforcing subsection (b) of this section.
        (2)    In the absence of a county– or municipality–designated enforcement unit, the Office of the State Fire Marshal, including the State Fire Marshal, an assistant State fire marshal, or a special assistant State fire marshal, shall be responsible for enforcing subsection (b) of this section.
    (d)    (1)    Each county or municipality may set a fine or series of fines to be issued to a person that violates subsection (b) of this section.
        (2)    Revenue collected under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be returned to the county or municipality taking the enforcement action.
    (e)    When a county submits a request for disbursements from the 9–1–1 Trust Fund in accordance with § 1–309 of this subtitle, the county shall submit to the Board a certification of the enforcement actions taken by the county under this section.

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