Next Generation 9–1–1 Act

Key Points

• This bill creates a federal grant program for states and tribes to upgrade their 9-1-1 systems to Internet Protocol-based technology, enabling emergency centers to receive and process texts, photos, videos, and other multimedia — not just voice calls.
• A new national cybersecurity center will be established to help state and local governments share threat information and develop strategies to protect 9-1-1 networks from cyberattacks.
• States applying for grants must certify they are not diverting 9-1-1 fees for non-emergency purposes, and must develop implementation plans that ensure interoperability with neighboring states and tribes so emergency calls and data transfer seamlessly across jurisdictions.
• A 16-member advisory board of police, firefighters, paramedics, and 9-1-1 professionals will guide the program with recommendations for deployment in both rural and urban areas, cybersecurity, and efficient use of shared infrastructure.
• The bill authorizes funding for fiscal years 2027 through 2031, and allows grant money to be spent on training staff, educating the public about new 9-1-1 capabilities, and building cybersecurity protections into emergency systems.