The "Telephone Solicitation Act" is designed to regulate telephone solicitation sales by establishing clear rights and responsibilities for both solicitors and consumers. Key provisions include a prohibition on the use of recorded messages for solicitations, a requirement for solicitors to disclose their identity and the organization they represent, and restrictions on contacting individuals listed on the national Do-Not-Call Registry. The bill also defines important terms related to telephone solicitation and sets specific requirements for contracts arising from these solicitations.
To enhance consumer protection, the bill introduces civil penalties for violations such as misrepresentation and unauthorized use of automatic dialing devices. It prohibits telemarketers from contacting vulnerable individuals or those who have opted out of communications, and it establishes that violations of federal telemarketing laws are also violations of this act. The attorney general is empowered to take civil action against violators, with fines reaching up to $25,000 per violation, and up to $100,000 for targeting vulnerable populations. The act will only take effect if several related bills are enacted into law.