Connecticut House Bill HB05262

Connecticut 2013 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/14/13
• Refer: 1/14/13

Caption

An Act Concerning The Termination Of "robo" Calls.

Impact

If enacted, HB 05262 would significantly impact the way telemarketing companies operate by imposing stricter regulations on the use of automated calling systems. This change would potentially reduce the number of unwanted calls received by consumers, as the devices would be required to terminate immediately when a call is hung up. Such a measure could foster a more consumer-friendly environment and reflect a growing legislative trend towards protecting individuals from invasive marketing practices.

Summary

House Bill 05262, introduced by Representative Esposito, aims to address the growing issue of unwanted telemarketing calls known as 'robo' calls. The bill proposes to amend Section 42-288a of the general statutes to mandate that any automatic dialing-announcing device used for such calls must be programmed to disconnect automatically when the recipient of the call hangs up. The primary objective is to provide greater control to the consumers and enhance their privacy by ensuring that these intrusive calls do not continue after the recipient has ended the conversation.

Contention

While the bill predominantly garners support from consumer advocacy groups for its focus on privacy and consumer rights, some telemarketing organizations may view it as an unnecessary burden on their operations. The main contention surrounding the bill could involve discussions about its enforceability and the technological feasibility of implementing such a requirement across existing telemarketing systems. Critics may argue that while the intent is noble, the practicality of executing these changes without penalizing legitimate business practices needs further examination.