Sen. Durbin Introduces Bill to Let Consumers Sue After a Single Illegal Robocall
This bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process. It has been sent to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation for review. No further actions are scheduled at this time.
While stopping robocalls is popular with voters, the bill's focus on making it easier to sue businesses often faces strong opposition from industry groups and Republican lawmakers.
Small business owners who rely on outbound telemarketing could face higher legal risk, since a single call to a number on the Do Not Call list could now trigger a lawsuit with no cap on damages. On the other hand, small businesses that are themselves bombarded by robocalls to their business lines would gain new protections, since the Do Not Call rules would expand beyond residential lines to cover business phones too.
“by striking ``residential''”
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text: CR S1786)
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Rep. Jan Schakowsky and Sen. Dick Durbin reintroduced the Protecting American Consumers from Robocalls Act to give the Do-Not-Call Registry 'teeth.' The bill allows all subscribers, including small businesses, to seek damages after just one illegal call and updates the definition of autodialers.
A new version of the Protecting American Consumers from Robocalls Act seeks to expand the private right of action for TCPA violations. Key changes include allowing businesses to join the National Do Not Call Registry and redefining automatic dialing systems to include those using stored lists.
The bill would expand Do Not Call rules to all phones, including business lines, and redefine autodialers to cover any system dialing from a list. Critics argue this targets 'good guys' like banks and insurers while making it easier for plaintiff lawyers to sue small businesses.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Protecting American Consumers from Robocalls Act
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