House Next Generation 9-1-1 Act introduced to overhaul emergency communications systems

Concerned that 9-1-1 systems begun more than 50 years ago might be in danger of growing outdated, U.S. Reps. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Richard Hudson (R-NC) introduced the Next Generation 9-1-1 Act of 2023 last week to rally for modernization.

Communications have changed dramatically in the past decades, Eshoo noted, but she also added that emergency call centers have failed to keep pace. The bill calls for $15 billion in federal funding to assist state and local governments to deploy next-generation systems at these centers.

“Over 85 percent of Americans now own a smartphone, and our 9-1-1 call centers aren’t equipped with the most up-to-date technology to respond to text messages or images from smartphones,” Eshoo said. “Our bill provides much-needed funding for states and local communities to bring their 9-1-1 infrastructure into the 21st Century, helping first responders and public safety officials save lives.”

Upgrades could allow these centers to better handle text messages, pictures, videos, and other information sent by smartphones, tablets, and similar devices during emergencies. Similar efforts were championed by Eshoo in 2019, though the legislation failed to gain ground.

“Modernizing our 9-1-1 infrastructure will make you safer and help first responders on the front lines,” Hudson said. “Next Generation 9-1-1 will begin saving lives in our communities the moment it is deployed, which is why I am proud to lead this bipartisan legislation.”

As a bit of added accountability for these proposed updates, the bill would also require a report by October 2024 on the progress of grants made available. Similar reports would need to be filed each year until the funds were depleted.

Currently, the bill is backed by organizations such as the Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies, Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition, and the California Chapter of the National Emergency Number Association.