New federal legislation under review would make it much easier for VoIP providers to tie directly into the e911 system, making 911 protection for voip users more uniform and bullet-proof. It would also extend liability protections currently enjoyed by land line and cel providers, to voip providers.

The "911 Modernization and Public Safety Act"  bill is making progress towards becoming signed into law, having been approved on October 10th, 2007. It is now headed to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, said in a statement:  “The E911 legislation is designed to ensure that a consumer calling 911 in an emergency from an Internet phone … can do so with a degree of confidence matching that of traditional phone service and wireless service."

The bill also calls for a revamp of the current 911 system to achieve "ip interoperability" which would efficiently handle voice, video, and data traffic.