The governor of Florida yesterday signed a bill into a law that expands the state’s Do Not Call list to include ringless voicemails.
The law is set to go into effect on July 1. This is believed to be the first state to enact such a measure, according to a published report.
A copy of the law is available here.
Individuals whose phone numbers are on the state’s Do Not Call list will be prohibited from receiving ringless voicemails, which are transmitted electronically to an individual’s mobile phone without placing a phone call.
While the law does not mention or appear to cover collection-related calls, it is another indication of the growing recognition of the technology and how lawmakers are approaching regulation of it.
The Florida law covers phone calls or voicemail transmissions to a consumer for the purpose of soliciting a sale of any consumer goods or services, soliciting an extension of credit for consumer goods or services, or obtaining information that will or may be used for the direct solicitation of a sale of consumer goods or services or an extension of credit for such purposes.
Under the law, phone calls made to individuals must also be capable of receiving calls at the number that was used on the caller ID to place the call.
