The Florida Legislature is out to protect its citizens’ phone lines from unwanted calls, texts and voicemails. Gov. Rick Scott has signed two bills that crack down on robocall solicitation. Both go into effect July 1.
Republican Senator Dana Young’s measure strengthens Florida’s existing Do Not Call Act by stopping robocallers from using loopholes like ringless delivery calls, which go straight to voicemail. It also increases fines for offenders, and makes sales call solicitors provide a number that can receive calls to a consumer’s caller ID.
“I don’t think in the eight years I’ve been in the legislature, I’ve had more positive support for a bill than I have of this one,” Young said. “Telemarketers take note, we are after you.”
Another bill gives phone companies preemptive power – stopping calls before they go through. It makes Florida law more consistent with a Federal Communications Commission rule.