(1) The general assembly hereby finds and declares that dialing 9-1-1 is the most effective and familiar way the public has of seeking emergency assistance. The amendments to this part 1 made in Senate Bill 97-132, enacted at the first regular session of the sixty-first general assembly, are intended to provide a funding mechanism for 9-1-1 and enhanced 9-1-1 service for wireless service users. Enhanced 9-1-1 permits rapid response in situations where callers are unable to relay their phone number or location. Public safety answering points will need to make extensive changes in, and additions to, existing equipment to provide enhanced 9-1-1 service to wireless service users. To do so, public safety answering points must have the resources to purchase and update equipment, software, and training. A mechanism for recovery of costs reasonably incurred by wireless carriers, service suppliers, and basic emergency service providers in the acquisition and transmission of 9-1-1 information to public safety answering points is necessary to ensure that wireless service users receive the same level of 9-1-1 service as wireline service users.

(2) The general assembly further finds and declares that public safety agencies increasingly rely on enhanced 9-1-1 to provide dependable and precise information about the 9-1-1 caller's location and an accurate telephone number to reach the caller. Many multi-line telephone systems do not provide precise information about the 9-1-1 caller's location or telephone number. Inadequate location information can be life threatening if the caller is unable to verbalize the correct location. Not knowing an accurate location for a caller can result in a delay in service. In addition, many end-use customers of multi-line telephone systems do not know how to dial a 9-1-1 call from such telephones. Disclosure about 9-1-1 dialing and about the location identification capability of multi-line telephone systems are necessary first steps to ensure that multi-line telephone system service users can obtain emergency assistance by dialing 9-1-1.

(3) Nothing in this part 1 should be construed to alter the method of regulation or deregulation of providers of telecommunications service as set forth in article 15 of title 40, C.R.S.