The Lead

Gov. Wolf signs new restrictions on robocalls in Pennsylvania

By: - October 4, 2019 4:41 pm

Getting tired of “Scam Likely” interrupting your tranquility? The state just handed you a break.

On Friday, Gov. Tom Wolf signed a new law that scraps language requiring people who want to stay on the state’s do-not-call list to re-up their registration every five years. Now you’re one and done.

The bill the Democratic governor signed into law updates the state’s Telemarketer Registration Act to allow business customers to sign up for the registry, the Associated Press reports.

In a statement, the administration said the new law also requires robocalls to “include a method for the recipient to opt out … that is clearly stated at the beginning of the call.” The bill would also prohibit telemarketing on legal holidays and calls initiated by computerized autodialers (robocalls).

As an added bonus, if you get a robo-voicemail, the caller “must provide a toll-free telephone number that the recipient can call to opt-out of further calls,” the statement reads.

The new law takes effect in two months. The underlying legislation, sponsored by Rep. Lori A. Mizgorski, R-Allegheny, was unanimously approved by both the state House and Senate.

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John L. Micek
John L. Micek

A 3-decade veteran of the news business, John L. Micek is the Pennsylvania Capital-Star's Editor-in-Chief. An award-winning political reporter, Micek’s career has taken him from small town meetings and Chicago City Hall to Congress and the Pennsylvania Capitol. His weekly column on U.S. politics is syndicated to 800 newspapers nationwide by Cagle Syndicate. He also contributes commentary and analysis to broadcast outlets in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. Micek’s first novel, “Ordinary Angels,” was released in 2019 by Sunbury Press.

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