Report Title:
311 Non-emergency call system
Description:
Authorizes the establishment of a 3-1-1 non-emergency call system to compliment the 9-1-1 emergency call system.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1460 |
TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to telephone surcharges.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The 9-1-1 section of the Honolulu Police Department handles over one million calls annually. The Honolulu Police Department estimates that up to 75% of the calls to the 9-1-1 section are of a non-emergency nature. With the increase in population density and cellular phone use, the volume of calls to this section is expected to increase dramatically in the years to come. Due to the extremely high levels of stress and the emotional swings experienced by 9-1-1 section personnel, the 9-1-1 section is chronically short staffed due to needed sick leave and traditionally high turnover rates. An increase in the volume of 9-1-1 calls would seriously compromise the ability of the police to respond to requests for emergency services.
Several jurisdictions faced with the same problem turned towards separating emergency from non-emergency requests. Cities such as Detroit, Fairfax, and Las Vegas turned to establishing a non-emergency reporting service under the numbers "3-1-1". A separate non-emergency reporting service dedicated to handling the reporting of nonemergency situations such as abandoned vehicles, noise complaints, and the reporting of incidents that have already happened (such as break-in, auto theft, or illegal dumping), for example, would free up the 9-1-1 section to respond to true emergency situations in a more timely manner, leading to more saved lives and better service.
Although police matters are the jurisdiction of the counties, providers of telecommunication services are regulated by the Public Utilities Commission, a state agency. The purpose of this Act is to provide the general authorization for the establishment of a "3-1-1" non-emergency reporting telephone service system.
SECTION 2. Chapter 269, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§269- County surcharges authorized for E911 and 311 services. (a) Each county is authorized to assess a surcharge for each landline and wireless telephone within the geographic boundaries of a county operated E911 public safety answering point.
(b) Each county is authorized to assess a surcharge for each landline and wireless telephone within the geographic boundaries of a county operated 311 non-emergency public safety answering point.
(c) Revenues collected by the county E911 surcharge shall be used only to pay for costs associated with operating the E911 public safety answering point.
(d) Revenues collected by the county 311 surcharge shall be used only to pay for costs associated with developing and operating the 311 non-emergency public safety answering point."
SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2003.
INTRODUCED BY: |
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