Understanding NG911 and Ray Baum’s Act Compliance for Schools
Part of Preparing Your System for NG911
Understanding Ray Baum’s Act and NG911
The Repack Airwaves Yielding Better Access for Users of Modern Services (RAY BAUM’S) Act, enacted in 2018, is a cornerstone of the FCC’s effort to modernize emergency communications. Section 506 requires that every 911 call deliver a “dispatchable location” to the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP), so first responders know exactly where to go (FCC Dispatchable Location Requirements, 2020).
A dispatchable location includes not only the validated street address but also floor, room, suite, or apartment numbers when necessary to find the caller (ClearlyIP – What is Ray Baum’s Act?).
This mandate is a critical part of the nationwide transition to Next Generation 911 (NG911) — a framework designed to make emergency response faster, more accurate, and more reliable across voice, text, and data channels (911.gov: Next Generation 911).
Who Must Comply?
Ray Baum’s Act compliance applies broadly across industries and technologies. According to the FCC:
– Schools, businesses, hospitals, and government agencies operating Multi-Line Telephone Systems (MLTS)
– VoIP providers offering interconnected voice services
– Manufacturers and resellers of communications systems (Kari’s Law and Ray Baum’s Act – 911.gov)
If you provide or manage any system that enables 911 calls, you are responsible for ensuring dispatchable location data is transmitted.
Compliance Deadlines
The FCC established phased deadlines to give organizations time to adapt:
– January 6, 2021 — Fixed telephony and fixed interconnected VoIP services must provide dispatchable location data automatically with all 911 calls (Dispatchable Location for 911 Calls – FCC).
– January 6, 2022 — Non-fixed (nomadic) and outbound-only VoIP services must provide dispatchable location data if technically feasible. If not, alternative location or routing to a national emergency call center is required.
NG911 is a nationwide initiative to upgrade legacy 911 infrastructure from analog systems to fully digital, IP-based networks (911.gov NG911 Overview). Ray Baum’s Act is one piece of that larger framework, alongside:
– Kari’s Law — Requires direct 911 dialing and on-site notifications.
– Alyssa’s Law — Mandates panic button readiness in states where it has been adopted.
For K-12 IT Directors and Superintendents, this can feel overwhelming. The good news: if your system is Ambit-installed and maintained, it’s already Ray Baum’s capable and ready to be brought into full NG911 compliance.
Ambit Solutions: Your Compliance Partner
At Ambit Solutions, we simplify Ray Baum’s and NG911 compliance through our Ray Baum’s as a Service (RBaaS) program.
Our services include:
Full System Audit — Review of every phone and extension to verify accurate dispatchable location data.
933 Test Calls — Safe validation that each device transmits the correct information.
Live 911 Test Call Coordination — We work directly with your PSAP so your team experiences a real-world test.
Certification of Compliance — Annual certificate verifying your MLTS system meets all FCC standards.
Optional Enhancements — Matterport 3D campus scans for zone planning and Emergency Panel training for administrators.
Why Schools Choose Ambit
– Hands-Off for IT — Ambit handles testing, coordination, and certification so your staff doesn’t carry the full compliance burden.
– Full-Scope Coverage — Ray Baum’s Act, Kari’s Law, Alyssa’s Law, and NG911 readiness.
– Community Transparency — Certification and a digital badge show parents and staff your school is proactive about safety.
– Proven Partner — Trusted by 64% of Alabama’s public schools and expanding across the Southeast.
Additional Resources
For more details on Ray Baum’s Act and NG911, see:
Note: This webpage is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal guidance, please consult with a qualified attorney.
Stay Compliant. Stay Safe.
Accurate location data is a Life Safety necessity.
With Ambit, you have a partner who makes Ray Baum’s Act and NG911 compliance simple, reliable, and fully documented.
