HB488 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris SellsRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Consumer protection; Alabama Telemarketing Act; Charitable organizations; certain disclosures required; Code Amended 8-19A-3, 8-19A-4, 8-19A-12

Summary

Charitable organizations that solicit donations by phone would face new disclosures about who is calling, which charity is being supported, and how much of the donation goes to the charity.

What This Bill Does

It extends parts of the Alabama Telemarketing Act to include charitable fundraisers and requires them to disclose their name, the charity they represent, and the portion of a donation used for charitable purposes. The caller must identify themselves and the charity within the first 30 seconds, and before a donation is completed, disclose the percentage used for the charitable purpose and how much goes to other costs. The bill notes the changes involve local funds in a way that is exempt from certain local approval requirements and sets an effective date after a short waiting period.

Who It Affects

• Charitable organizations and their charitable telephone solicitors, who must follow the new disclosure requirements when soliciting donations by phone.
• Donors who receive charitable telemarketing calls, who would be provided with disclosures about who is calling, which charity is involved, and how their money will be allocated.

Key Provisions

• Amends Sections 8-19A-3, 8-19A-4, and 8-19A-12 to require charitable telephone solicitors to disclose their true name, the charity they represent, and the percentage of the donation that will be used for charitable purposes.
• Requires identification within the first 30 seconds of a charitable solicitation and prior to completing a donation the disclosure of the donation's allocation between charitable uses and other costs, in a clear and intelligible manner.
• Adds and clarifies definitions related to charitable organizations and charitable telephone solicitors to support the new disclosure requirements.
• Notes that the bill involves a new or increased local funds expenditure but is exempt from the local-government approval process due to specified exceptions, with the act becoming effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Consumer Protection