SB7 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tim MelsonSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Telemarketers and telephone solicitation, Secs. 8-19A-3, 8-19C-5, 8-19C-11am'd.

Summary

SB 7 would ban telemarketers from knowingly displaying misleading caller ID and would treat violations as Deceptive Trade Practices, with limited exemptions.

What This Bill Does

It prohibits the intentional misuse of caller identification information by telephone solicitors. Violations would also be considered violations of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act, allowing enforcement by the Attorney General. The bill provides exemptions for solicitations on behalf of charitable institutions and when the solicitor substitutes the proper caller ID of the party on whose behalf the call is made. It also defines key telemarketing terms and sets an effective date for the act.

Who It Affects

• Consumers in Alabama who receive telemarketing calls would see more honest caller IDs and less deceptive practices.
• Commercial telephone sellers and their solicitors would need to avoid displaying misleading caller ID and could face penalties under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act, with limited exemptions for charitable solicitations or properly substituted caller IDs.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits knowingly displaying misleading caller identification in telephone solicitations and provides specific exemptions for charitable solicitations or when the caller ID properly identifies the party on whose behalf the call is made.
• Violations are treated as Deceptive Trade Practices Act violations enforceable by the Attorney General; includes definitions of terms related to telemarketing and sets the act's effective date (first day of the third month after passage and governor's 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

Telemarketing