HB40 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Craig LipscombRepresentative

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 40 would ban telemarketers from knowingly displaying misleading caller IDs and treat violations as Deceptive Trade Practices Act violations, with certain exemptions.

What This Bill Does

It makes it illegal for telephone solicitors to knowingly display false or misleading caller identification information. Violations would also be considered violations of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act, allowing enforcement by the Attorney General. The bill provides exemptions for charitable solicitations and for calls where the caller ID shows the proper information of the party on whose behalf the call is made. It becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Telemarketers and telephone solicitors operating in Alabama would be prohibited from knowingly displaying misleading caller ID information in solicitations, with violations enforceable as Deceptive Trade Practices Act violations.
• Alabama residents and consumers who receive telephone solicitations would be protected from misleading caller IDs; charitable solicitations are exempt from the prohibition, and calls that show the proper caller information of the party on whose behalf the call is made are also exempt.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits knowingly displaying misleading caller identification information in telephone solicitations with the intent to defraud, harm, or wrongfully obtain anything of value.
• Violations would also be treated as violations of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act and enforceable by the Attorney General.
• Exempts solicitations on behalf of charitable institutions and solicitations where the caller ID shows the proper information of the party on whose behalf the call is made.
• Effective date: becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and governor's approval.
• Section 2 states the bill does not impose local funding requirements under Amendment 621 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