Texas House Bill HB3476

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to information used for telephone solicitations.

Impact

The bill's amendments to the Business & Commerce Code would establish that any telephone solicitation list shared with a third party is proprietary and confidential to the list owner. This means that third parties are barred from disclosing, duplicating, or selling the list, thereby ensuring that the original creator of the list retains control over how their data is used and shared. By setting these protections, the bill seeks to strengthen privacy and control over solicitation practices within the state.

Summary

House Bill 3476 aims to enhance the confidentiality of telephone solicitation lists by defining the roles of 'list owners' and specifying the nature of proprietary information regarding these lists. Under this bill, a 'telephone solicitation list' is identified as a collection of phone numbers, potentially along with associated names or addresses, utilized for the purpose of making solicitations via telephone. This defines clear ownership and usage parameters for lists used in telephone marketing, attempting to protect the interests of those who create such lists.

Contention

While the bill primarily provides safeguards for list owners, discussions surrounding its implementation may reveal points of contention. Critics may argue that overly stringent regulations on solicitation lists could hinder legitimate marketing practices. On the other hand, proponents will argue that the bill is essential to protect consumers from unwanted solicitation and misuse of personal data. The balance between ensuring privacy and allowing businesses to market effectively will likely frame discussions as the bill progresses through the legislative process.