May. 08, 2017
HARRISBURG – Pennsylvanians who view telemarketing and robo-calls as an unwanted annoyance could soon have some relief thanks to a bill introduced by state Rep. Jim Cox (R-Berks/Lancaster) that today was approved by the state House.
“I want to make it easier for Pennsylvanians to avoid unwanted marketing calls,” Cox said. “If people don’t want to receive telemarketing calls, my bill would provide them with more protection.”
Pennsylvania already has a do-not-call list. People can register their phone number for a five-year period. Registrants must re-register their phone number every five years. Telemarketers are prevented from calling phone numbers on the state registry.
Cox’s bill would make four significant improvements to the existing law.
His legislation would make do-not-call list registrations permanent until the number switches subscribers or the original subscriber asks to be removed from the registry.
His bill would prohibit telephone solicitations on legal holidays.
It would require telemarketers using a robo-call system to provide an opt-out process within the first few seconds of each call for the person who receives the solicitation.
Cox’s bill also would require robo-calls left on a voicemail to include a toll-free call back number that would directly connect a person to an opt-out process.
“These are fairly commonsense reforms that would make life easier for Pennsylvanians who don’t want to receive telemarketing solicitations or robo-calls,” Cox said.
Cox’s
House Bill 105 now heads to the state Senate for consideration.
Representative Jim Cox
129th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Daniel Massing
717.772.9845
dmassing@pahousegop.com
RepJimCox.com /
Facebook.com/RepJimCox