Mo. Senate backs new limits on ’robocalls’

Thursday, February 23, 2012

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Missouri Senate has passed legislation that would forbid automated phone calls known as “robocalls” from going to numbers on the state’s no-call list.

The Senate backed the legislation in a 32-0 vote Thursday. It now goes to the House.

Political phone calls would be exempt from the new rule. But those political calls would have to include a statement saying which candidate or campaign paid for it.

People or groups who violate those rules could face a fine of up $5,000 for each violation.

Sponsoring Sen. Scott Rupp, a Wentzville Republican, says political calls can’t be banned because that could interfere with a candidate’s First Amendment right to free speech. But he says people should know which campaign is responsible for the call.

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Robocalls bill is SB484

Online:

Legislature: http://www.moga.mo.gov

More like this story

gofish 1 year, 2 months ago

I think political calls should be banned as well. A candidates 1st amendment right shouldn't overrule my right to control my phone service by signing up on a NO CALL list. But tell a politician that my rights come before theirs and good luck with that one.

JCLifer 1 year, 2 months ago

They need to change the phone service billing practices to charge the person making the calls, not the person receiving them.

LuckNLove 1 year, 2 months ago

Then how would phone companies survive? It is much more lucrative to charge each person for minutes (incoming/outgoing) than to just charge one person.

RobHunterJohnson 1 year, 2 months ago

I would like to see them banned, most of them are from Roy Blunt, Vickie Hartzler ect, They are a bunch of GOP hot air. Rob

spelchek 1 year, 2 months ago

“I need you to go out and talk to your friends and talk to your neighbors. I want you to talk to them whether they are independent or whether they are Republican. I want you to argue with them and get in their face.” POTUS Obama -- I'll take the robo calls thank you very much.

JCsleeper 1 year, 2 months ago

Landline phone companies should give their subscribers the option of blocking calls, kinda like a spam filter. The technology exists. First amendment considered, what about the right to privacy? Part of the reason landline phones are dying out is that people don't have to put up with nuisance calls on their cell phones. Especially during political seasons, best bet is to mute the ringers, use caller-id and call back folks if desired.

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