Tired of telemarketers? Utah lawmakers have a bill for you

Rep. Norm Thurston, R-Provo, talks about HB217, Phone Solicitations Amendments, which he's sponsoring, within the Home chamber on the Capitol in Salt Lake Metropolis on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret Information

Bored with receiving an infinite stream of unsolicited cellphone calls? You’re not alone, as a result of the Utah Home simply handed a invoice to restrict undesirable phone solicitation.

HB217, sponsored by Rep. Norm Thurston, R-Provo, is the results of years of labor with the Division of Commerce with the purpose of “cracking down” on telemarketers who violate the nationwide do-not-call listing or different telecommunications legal guidelines.

“For those who don’t like telemarketing, this can be a invoice for you,” Thurston mentioned.

Thurston mentioned the invoice is primarily an effort to make clear a few of the language in present regulation, nevertheless it does add just a few new provisions. Primarily, the invoice would increase the definition of a solicitation name to incorporate these by which the caller affords to purchase actual property or different property.

“Usually solicitation is considered somebody calling you to attempt to promote you stuff, however these days we’ve had lots of people calling wanting to purchase your stuff,” Thurston mentioned.

It wouldn’t prohibit such calls altogether, however would merely require that these callers observe the identical guidelines and respect do-not-call lists and daylight.

The invoice would particularly goal Utah firms who outsource telemarketing to different nations that aren't topic to U.S. legal guidelines. Thurston mentioned that could be a frequent difficulty, as name facilities in international nations can name U.S. residents exterior of regular daytime hours and with out permission.

Thurston mentioned it isn’t uncommon for Utah-based firms to rent a international contractor on an “arm’s-length partnership” to be able to skirt rules and nonetheless market their enterprise to native customers. He mentioned firms can present believable deniability that they knew of any wrongdoing, a difficulty his invoice would tackle by making firms liable if they've “motive to know” that such techniques are getting used for his or her profit.

The identical commonplace of legal responsibility would apply to celebrities who lend their credibility to endorse an organization or product.

The invoice would additionally prohibit telemarketers from utilizing expertise to dam or disguise their caller IDs.

Cellphone scams and robocalls have grown prevalent lately. Officers have suggested Utahns to be cautious of calls they aren’t anticipating, as a result of criminals could make themselves appear official by pretending to be calling from native space codes.

On the finish of his presentation, Thurston joked with fellow lawmakers about frequent rip-off calls, saying “For those who need assistance together with your automobile guarantee, I do know a man ... I can hook you up.”

HB217 handed unanimously and can head to the Senate for consideration.