You asked if sSB 157, An Act Prohibiting “Robo” Calls, covers all phones, or only those with caller ID. You referenced the General Law Committee's February 13, 2007 public hearing when the bill was heard.

On March 14^th the General Law Committee voted sSB 157, An Act Prohibiting “Robo” Calls, out to the floor. The bill is expressed in broad terms and covers all telephone service subscribers in Connecticut, not just those whose telephones have caller ID. Generally, it bans callers (like telemarketers) from making telephone calls using an automatic dialing-announcing device, known as “robo calls,” unless certain conditions are met. (For example, the subscriber must consent to receiving the message and the robo call must occur between 9: 00 a. m. and 9: 00 p. m. ) The ban does not apply to calls (1) from school districts to students, parents, or employees; (2) to subscribers with whom the caller has a current business or personal relationship; or (3) advising employees of their work schedules.

According to the recently available public hearing transcripts, there was discussion during the February 13^th public hearing about whether the bill would block robo calls for all subscribers or only those with caller ID,. John Punder spoke on behalf of ccAdvertising, an organization whose calls could be banned or restricted under SB 157. Punder recommended amending the bill to require telemarketers to display their business' telephone number on caller ID devices and in the call script. Upon obtaining the number, the subscriber could contact the company on whose behalf the robo-call was being made with the guarantee that his or her name would be removed from the vendor's call list.

JM/KS: ro