[Congressional Bills 118th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 7116 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7116 To strengthen certain provisions relating to restrictions on robocalls and telemarketing, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 29, 2024 Mr. Pallone (for himself, Ms. Matsui, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Sorensen, and Mr. Soto) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To strengthen certain provisions relating to restrictions on robocalls and telemarketing, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Do Not Disturb Act''. (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. TITLE I--FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Sec. 101. Robocall restrictions. Sec. 102. Text message authentication and trace back study. Sec. 103. Annual robocall report. Sec. 104. Disclosure required for robocalls using AI. Sec. 105. Enhanced penalties for violations involving AI voice or text message impersonation. Sec. 106. Certain requirements for VoIP service providers. Sec. 107. Tracking of top 100 illegal robocall campaigns. Sec. 108. Offering of robocall-blocking service at no charge to customer. Sec. 109. Telephone solicitation. Sec. 110. Commission defined. TITLE II--FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION Sec. 201. Addition of text message to the definition of telemarketing. Sec. 202. Adoption of regulations on inbound telephone calls and expanded calling time restrictions. Sec. 203. Disclosure required for telemarketing using AI. Sec. 204. Enhanced penalties for violations of telemarketing rules involving AI voice or text message impersonation. Sec. 205. Commission defined. TITLE I--FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION SEC. 101. ROBOCALL RESTRICTIONS. (a) Definitions.--Section 227(a) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 227(a)) is amended-- (1) by striking paragraph (1); (2) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (1); (3) by inserting before paragraph (3) the following: ``(2) Robocall.-- ``(A) In general.--The term `robocall' means a call made or text message sent-- ``(i) using equipment, whether hardware, software, or a combination thereof and including an automatic telephone dialing system, that makes a call or sends a text message to-- ``(I) stored telephone numbers; or ``(II) telephone numbers produced using a random or sequential number generator; or ``(ii) using an artificial or prerecorded voice or an artificially generated message. ``(B) Limitation.--For purposes of subparagraph (A)(i), the term `robocall' does not include a call made or text message sent using equipment that requires substantial human intervention to make or send the call or text message.''; (4) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (7); and (5) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following: ``(5) Text message.-- ``(A) In general.--The term `text message' means a message consisting of text, images, sounds, or other information that is transmitted to or from a device that is identified as the receiving or transmitting device by means of a 10-digit telephone number, N11 service code, short code telephone number, or email address, or that is transmitted through application-to- person messaging, and includes-- ``(i) a short message service (commonly referred to as `SMS') message; ``(ii) a multimedia message service (commonly referred to as `MMS') message; and ``(iii) a rich communication service (commonly referred to as `RCS') message. ``(B) Limitation.--The term `text message' does not include a real-time, two-way voice or video communication. ``(6) Text messaging service.--The term `text messaging service' means a service that enables the transmission or receipt of a text message, including a service provided as part of or in connection with a voice service.''. (b) Restrictions on Use of Robocalls.--Section 227(b) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 227(b)) is amended-- (1) in the subsection heading, by striking ``Automated Telephone Equipment'' and inserting ``Robocalls''; (2) in paragraph (1)-- (A) in subparagraph (A)-- (i) in the matter preceding clause (i)-- (I) by striking ``any call'' and inserting ``a robocall''; (II) by striking ``a call'' and inserting ``a robocall''; and (III) by striking ``using any automatic telephone dialing system or an artificial or prerecorded voice''; and (ii) in clause (iii), by striking ``call'' each place it appears and inserting ``robocall''; (B) in subparagraph (B)-- (i) by striking ``any telephone call'' and inserting ``a robocall''; (ii) by striking ``using an artificial or prerecorded voice to deliver a message''; and (iii) by striking ``the call'' and inserting ``the robocall''; and (C) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``use an automatic telephone dialing system'' and inserting ``make robocalls''; and (3) in paragraph (2)-- (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``calls made using an artificial or prerecorded voice'' and inserting ``robocalls''; (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``calls'' each place it appears and inserting ``robocalls''; (C) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``calls'' and inserting ``robocalls''; (D) in subparagraph (H), by striking ``calls'' and inserting ``robocalls''; and (E) in subparagraph (I)-- (i) by striking ``calls'' each place it appears and inserting ``robocalls''; and (ii) by striking ``be called'' and inserting ``receive such robocalls''. (c) Technical and Procedural Standards.--Section 227(d) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 227(d)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1)(A)-- (A) by striking ``any telephone call using any automatic telephone dialing system'' and inserting ``a robocall''; and (B) by striking ``or automatic telephone dialing system'' and inserting ``or robocall system''; and (2) in paragraph (3)-- (A) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``Artificial or prerecorded voice'' and inserting ``Robocall''; (B) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking ``any artificial or prerecorded voice message via telephone'' and inserting ``robocalls''; (C) in subparagraph (A)-- (i) by striking ``artificial or prerecorded telephone messages'' and inserting ``robocalls using an artificial or prerecorded voice or an artificially generated message''; and (ii) by striking ``the call'' and inserting ``the robocall''; and (D) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``to make or receive other calls''. (d) Prohibition on Provision of Misleading or Inaccurate Caller Identification Information.--Section 227(e)(8) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 227(e)(8)) is amended-- (1) by striking subparagraphs (C) and (D); and (2) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (C). (e) Effect on State Law.--Section 227(f)(1) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 227(f)(1)) is amended-- (1) in subparagraph (B)-- (A) by striking ``automatic telephone dialing systems'' and inserting ``robocalls''; and (B) by adding ``or'' at the end; (2) by striking subparagraph (C); and (3) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (C). (f) Annual Report to Congress on Robocalls and Transmission of Misleading or Inaccurate Caller Identification Information.--Section 227(h)(2) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 227(h)(2)) is amended-- (1) in subparagraph (A)-- (A) in clause (i), by striking ``that a consumer received a call in violation'' and inserting ``a violation''; (B) in clause (ii), by striking ``that a consumer received a call in violation'' and inserting ``a violation''; and (C) in clause (iii), by striking ``that a consumer received a call in connection with which misleading or inaccurate caller identification information was transmitted in violation'' and inserting ``a violation''; (2) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``calls made in violation'' and inserting ``violations''; and (3) in subparagraph (G)-- (A) by striking ``short-duration calls'' and inserting ``short-duration calls or high-volume, unlawful text messages''; and (B) by striking ``calls made in violation'' each place it appears and inserting ``violations''. (g) Information Sharing.--Section 227(i) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 227(i)) is amended-- (1) by striking paragraph (2); (2) by striking ``Sharing'' and all that follows through ``Not later than'' and inserting ``Sharing.--Not later than''; and (3) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as paragraphs (1) and (2), respectively (and conforming the margins accordingly). (h) Robocall Blocking Service.--Section 227(j) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 227(j)) is amended-- (1) by striking paragraph (2); (2) by striking ``Service'' and all that follows through ``Not later than'' and inserting ``Service.--Not later than''; (3) by redesignating subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) as paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), respectively (and conforming the margins accordingly); and (4) by redesignating clauses (i) and (ii) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively (and conforming the margins accordingly). (i) Regulations.--Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall promulgate regulations to implement this section, including the amendments made by this section. SEC. 102. TEXT MESSAGE AUTHENTICATION AND TRACE BACK STUDY. (a) Study.--The Commission shall conduct a study to determine the feasibility of-- (1) creating an authentication framework with respect to text messages; and (2) requiring responses, from enforcement authorities, with respect to requests to trace back the origin of text messages. (b) Consultation.--In conducting the study under subsection (a), the Commission shall consult with relevant stakeholders, including representatives of private industry, public interest organizations, and academia. (c) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the findings of the study conducted under subsection (a). (d) Text Message Defined.--In this section, the term ``text message'' has the meaning given that term in section 227(a) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 227(a)), as amended by this Act. SEC. 103. ANNUAL ROBOCALL REPORT. (a) Notice by the Commission Seeking Registrations.--Section 13(d)(2) of the Pallone-Thune Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence Act is amended-- (1) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``Annual notice'' and inserting ``Notice''; and (2) by striking ``annually'' and inserting ``every 3 years''. (b) Suspected Unlawful Robocall.--Section 13(f)(3) of the Pallone- Thune Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence Act is amended by inserting ``(not including a text message)'' after ``means a call''. SEC. 104. DISCLOSURE REQUIRED FOR ROBOCALLS USING AI. Section 227 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 227) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(k) Disclosure Required for Robocalls Using AI.--If a person making a robocall uses artificial intelligence to emulate a human being, such person shall disclose at the beginning of the call or text message the fact that artificial intelligence is being used.''. SEC. 105. ENHANCED PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS INVOLVING AI VOICE OR TEXT MESSAGE IMPERSONATION. (a) In General.--Section 227 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 227), as amended by the preceding provisions of this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following: ``(l) Enhanced Penalties for Violations Involving AI Voice or Text Message Impersonation.--In the case of a violation of this section with respect to which the party making the call or sending the text message uses artificial intelligence to impersonate an individual or entity with the intent to defraud, cause harm, or wrongfully obtain anything of value-- ``(1) the maximum amount of the forfeiture penalty that may be imposed under subsection (b)(4) or (e)(5)(A) of this section or subsection (b) of section 503 (as the case may be) shall be twice the maximum amount that may be imposed for such violation under such subsection without regard to this subsection; and ``(2) the maximum amount of the criminal fine that may be imposed under subsection (e)(5)(B) of this section or section 501 (as the case may be) shall be twice the maximum amount that may be imposed for such violation under such subsection or section without regard to this subsection.''. (b) Applicability.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to violations occurring after the date of the enactment of this Act. SEC. 106. CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS FOR VOIP SERVICE PROVIDERS. Section 227 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 227), as amended by the preceding provisions of this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following: ``(m) Certain Requirements for VoIP Service Providers.-- ``(1) Regulations.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Commission shall promulgate regulations that do the following: ``(A) Require a provider of covered VoIP service to do the following: ``(i) Verify the identity of each customer of the provider. ``(ii) Proactively and continuously monitor and analyze traffic on the service of the provider to determine whether any customer of the provider has engaged or is engaging in a pattern or practice of making robocalls using the service of the provider. ``(iii) If the provider ascertains, through the monitoring and analysis required under clause (ii) or other means, that a customer of the provider has engaged or is engaging in a pattern or practice of making robocalls using the service of the provider, conduct an investigation to determine expeditiously whether there is substantial evidence that the customer has committed or is committing any violation of this section, or any other applicable law or regulation, with respect to such robocalls. ``(iv) If the provider determines in an investigation conducted under clause (iii) that there is substantial evidence that the customer has committed or is committing any violation described in such clause, not later than 10 days after making the determination-- ``(I) take affirmative, effective measures to mitigate the origination or transmission of such robocalls; and ``(II) submit to the Robocall Mitigation Database of the Commission a public report containing such evidence and describing such investigation and measures. ``(B) Provide that the directors and officers (or any other individuals holding similar positions) and covered owners of a provider of covered VoIP service are jointly and severally liable with the provider for any failure to comply with-- ``(i) the regulations promulgated u