Brooks Bill to Strengthen Consumer Protections Against Telemarketing Approved by Committee

HARRISBURG - Legislation sponsored by Sen. Michele Brooks (R-50) to put in place stronger protections for the public in Pennsylvania's telemarketing laws has advanced out of the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee.

Senate Bill 992 updates the state's Telemarketer Registration Act, which has not kept pace with changes in technology or deceptive tactics used by bad actors.

"Pennsylvanians are increasingly bombarded with inconvenient calls, texts and even AI-generated scams," Brooks said. "This legislation takes important steps to help protect Pennsylvania families, seniors and consumers from harassment and fraud while also protecting families by limiting when telemarketing calls can be made during their evening and weekend hours."

Key provisions of the bill include expanding the definition of telephone solicitation to cover not only traditional calls but also voicemails, ringless voicemails and text messages. The bill also ensures accountability by making both telemarketers and the businesses that contract with them responsible under the law. To give consumers more peace during personal and family time, the legislation limits the hours telemarketing is permitted, prohibiting calls between 7 p.m. and 9 a.m., as well as on Sundays.

In addition, Senate Bill 992 strengthens the Do Not Call Registry by closing loopholes that allow deceptive practices such as coupon clicking, which can remove numbers from the list without a consumer's written consent. The measure further prohibits the use of AI technology to defraud or mislead subscribers and bans telemarketers from using false names or phone numbers. Additionally, the legislation aligns Pennsylvania law with the Federal Truth in Caller ID Act and FCC regulations to ensure consistent enforcement across state and federal levels.

"Pennsylvanians are inundated and frustrated by a growing number of automated calls, texts and AI-driven scams and it's critical that we keep pace to protect consumers," Attorney General Dave Sunday said. "From cracking down on deceptive AI practices to prohibiting telemarketing on Sundays, this legislation makes the updates needed to protect all Pennsylvanians. I thank Sen. Brooks and the State Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee for their leadership, and I look forward to seeing this commonsense legislation advance through the General Assembly and become law."

"It's my hope that by closing loopholes and cracking down on fraudulent practices, this bill will give Pennsylvanians more peace of mind in their daily lives," Brooks said.

Senate Bill 992 now heads to the full Senate for consideration.

CONTACT: Adam Gingrich