Many of you have commented to state legislators about telemarketers and their annoying calls.
PA State Representative Donna Oberlander said the House had heard you and has created legislation to help the situation.
“We’re doing our best to pass legislation that addresses these unwanted calls, and especially those that are fraudulent,” Oberlander posted on her Facebook page. “The scammers always seem to be one step ahead of us; however, this week, we passed House Bill 318 that streamlines the state’s Do Not Call List to help reduce at least some of the calls.”
Oberlander said that under the bill, residents won’t have to renew every five years (it will be permanent) and telemarketers will be prohibited from calling on legal holidays. In addition, computerized auto-dialers (robocalls) would be required to give residents an “opt-out” option at the beginning of the call.
However, opponents of the bill said that customers are changing their number frequently, and that the five-year renewal was in case a number previously listed on the Do-Not-Call list is now assigned to an individual who welcomes the calls and doesn’t want to be excluded.
The bill now goes to the governor’s desk for his signature.