HB29 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jimmy Martin

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Telemarketers and telephone solicitations, knowing display of misleading caller identification information prohibited, Secs. 8-19A-3, 8-19C-5, 8-19C-11 am'd.

Summary

HB 29 would ban telemarketers from intentionally displaying misleading caller IDs and treat violations as Deceptive Trade Practices Act violations, with certain exemptions and immediate effect.

What This Bill Does

Prohibits intentional display of misleading caller identification information in telephone solicitations. Violations would also be violations of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act, enabling enforcement by the Attorney General. Exempts solicitations on behalf of charitable institutions and cases where the caller ID of the party on whose behalf the call is made is substituted for the caller's ID. Amends code sections 8-19A-3, 8-19C-5, and 8-19C-11 to implement these rules and takes effect immediately after the governor signs the bill.

Who It Affects

• Commercial telephone sellers and telemarketers in Alabama: must not display misleading caller ID and could face penalties under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
• Consumers in Alabama who receive telemarketing calls: protected from misleading caller ID; enforcement can be pursued by the Attorney General; exemptions apply for charitable solicitations.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits intentional display of misleading caller identification information in telephone solicitations.
• Violations also constitute violations of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act, enabling AG enforcement.
• Exempts solicitations on behalf of charitable institutions and those where the proper caller ID of the party on whose behalf the call is made is substituted.
• Amends Sections 8-19A-3, 8-19C-5, and 8-19C-11 of the Alabama Code to implement these changes.
• Effective immediately after the Governor's approval; the bill is noted to be exempt from Amendment 621 local-funding requirements because it defines a new crime or amends an existing crime.

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

Subjects

Telemarketing