State 911, 988 Bills Move Ahead

Emergency communications bills advanced in multiple states last week. Thursday in Wisconsin, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 5-2 to approve SB-890 with a slight wording change. The full Senate could soon vote on the bill, which would require wireless providers to provide device location information to law enforcement without a warrant if the subscriber consents, if the provider believes disclosure could prevent a person’s death or injury or if the provider receives a written law enforcement request stating that disclosure is needed to respond to an emergency call or situation involving possible death or serious physical injury. The bill would give wireless providers immunity from criminal liability for such disclosures. Providers already have immunity from civil liability. In Hawaii, the Senate Government Operations Committee voted 3-0 Thursday to approve a bill (SB-3028) that would remove the term “enhanced” from state 911 law so that Hawaii can fund future 911 technologies. The Senate bill next needs approval from the Commerce and Ways and Means committees. The South Dakota Senate scheduled a second reading for Monday on the House-passed HB-1092, which would increase the state 911 fee on monthly phone bills to $2, from $1.25. The Senate Judiciary Committee cleared it Thursday (see 2402080071). In Washington state, the Senate voted 48-0 Thursday for SB-6308 to extend timelines for implementing the 988 mental health hotline, including providing the state health department 18 additional months to develop the technology platform (see 2402050049). The Senate also voted 31-18 that day for SB-5838, establishing an AI task force. Both Washington bills will go to the House.