Cybersecurity Policy Report, Pennsylvania Governor Signs Law to Strengthen Telemarketing Restrictions, (Jul 21, 2026)
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D.) this week signed into law a bill to update and expand the Telemarketer Registration Act of 1996 to strengthen consumer protections against unwanted telemarketing communications.
SB 992, among other things, expands the definition of telephone solicitation to cover not only traditional calls but also voicemails, ringless voicemails, and text messages—tools often used by telemarketers to evade existing restrictions. In addition, the bill prohibits the use of artificial intelligence or fake caller IDs to deceive or defraud consumers.
The new law introduces the requirement for “prior express written consent” for robocalls and certain telemarketing messages, specifying the criteria for valid consent, including clear disclosure and the ability to sign electronically.
The measure, which was sponsored by Sen. Michelle Brooks (R.), imposes stricter regulations on telemarketing practices, including prohibiting telephone solicitations on Sundays, legal holidays, before 9 a.m., or after 7 p.m., and requiring telemarketers to promptly disclose their identity and the purpose of the call.
The law further includes business and wireless subscribers on the do-not-call list, requires telemarketers to regularly update their call lists, and prohibits the use of the do-not-call list for purposes other than removing numbers from solicitation lists. It also requires telecom providers to notify subscribers of their ability to enroll in the do-not-call list and specifies the methods and frequency of renewal.
A violation of the law would carry a civil penalty of up to $1,000 or $3,000 if the person contacted is age 60 or older. The law (S.B. 992, Reg Sess.) also establishes penalties for both telemarketers and the companies that hire them.
“Sen. Michele Brooks understood that Caller ID spoofing and robocalls are not just an annoyance—they are tools criminals use to steal from seniors and other vulnerable Pennsylvanians. This law will help minimize scam calls across the Commonwealth,” Attorney General Dave Sunday (D.) said in a recent statement.
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