Conference-Wireless-911 Language (language only)

Item 461 #4c

Language
Page 352, after line 5, insert:
"D.1.  It is the intent of the General Assembly that wireless 911 calls be delivered directly by the Commercial Mobile Radio Service (CMRS) provider to the local Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP), in order that such calls be answered by the local jurisdiction within which the call originates, thereby minimizing the need for call transfers whenever possible.
a.  On or before January 1, 2000, it is intended that the Cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach shall begin answering wireless 911 calls originating in their jurisdictions.
b.  On or before July 1, 2000, it is intended that Chesterfield and Henrico County and the City of Richmond shall begin answering wireless 911 calls originating in their jurisdictions.
2.  Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 6 (§ 56-484.8 et seq.), Chapter 15, Title 56, Code of Virginia, the Wireless E-911 Service Board shall make transitional or start-up payments to the PSAPs serving the localities identified in paragraphs C.1.a. and C.1.b. above for costs associated with the assumption of wireless 911 telephone call answering responsibilities from the Department of State Police.  In furtherance of this objective, the localities referenced in paragraphs C.1.a. and C.1.b. above shall submit by July 1, 1999, their estimates of the wireless 911 PSAP transitional or start-up costs they expect to incur during fiscal year 2000.  These estimates shall include the initial capital, installation, and maintenance costs of the 911 wireless emergency telephone systems and recurring maintenance, repair, and system upgrade costs, and salaries or portion of salaries of dispatchers or call-takers, for the purpose of assisting localities in complying with the provisions of this paragraph.
3.  Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 6 (§ 56-484.8 et seq.), Chapter 15, Title 56, Code of Virginia, the Department of State Police is authorized to receive monies collected in the Wireless E-911 Fund, not to exceed $750,000 in each fiscal year, to offset dispatch center operating costs incurred for answering wireless 911 telephone calls originating in localities for which the Department of State Police continues to serve as the PSAP for wireless 911 telephone calls.  Such payments shall be made pursuant to procedures established by the Wireless E-911 Service Board.
4.  The Wireless E-911 Service Board shall provide a progress report to the Governor and the Chairmen of the Senate Finance and House Appropriations Committees by October 1, 1999, on the progress in implementing the provisions of the Wireless Enhanced Public Safety Telephone Service Act of 1998.  The Secretary of Technology and the Department of Information Technology shall provide such support as may be necessary to enable the Board to complete its report."

Explanation
(This amendment establishes a schedule for localities to respond to wireless 911 calls and to be reimbursed for start-up expenses. In addition, this amendment provides for reimbursement of costs incurred by the Department of State Police in those areas where the Department continues to serve as the answering point for wireless 911 calls.)