HARRISBURG — Pennsylvanians now have stronger protections from deceptive telemarketing practices under a new law sponsored by Sen. Michele Brooks (R-50).
Senate Bill 992 — now Act 47 of 2026 — updates Pennsylvania’s Telemarketer Registration Act for the first time in nearly 30 years to address the technology and tactics scammers and telemarketers use today.
“Telemarketing calls and scam messages have become a common nuisance in today’s society, but for many Pennsylvanians, especially our seniors, they are much more than a nuisance,” said Brooks. “I have heard from too many people who have lost hundreds or even thousands of dollars because of these deceptive calls. We needed to update our laws to give Pennsylvanians greater protection and peace.”
Brooks introduced the legislation after hearing from constituents about the growing number of unwanted calls and scam messages they receive, as well as the increasingly sophisticated tactics used by scammers to make those communications appear legitimate.
Under Act 47, Pennsylvania’s telemarketing law will now cover modern forms of solicitation, including text messages, voicemails, ringless voicemails and robocalls.
The law also establishes stronger rules for when and how telemarketers can contact Pennsylvanians, including:
- Prohibiting telemarketing calls before 9 a.m. and after 7 p.m.
- Prohibiting telemarketing solicitations on Sundays and legal holidays.
- Requiring prior express written consent for most robocalls and telemarketing text messages for those on the Do-Not-Call List.
- Prohibiting deceptive or fraudulent practices used to obtain a consumer’s consent.
- Prohibiting telemarketers from falsely identifying themselves or using deceptive caller ID information, including spoofed numbers.
- Allowing consumers to opt out of telemarketing text messages by responding with commonly recognized terms such as “STOP,” “QUIT,” “END,” “CANCEL” or “UNSUBSCRIBE.”
- Requiring telemarketers to stop a solicitation when a consumer asks them to do so.
“For a senior who is waiting for a call from a loved one, a ringing phone can mean something important,” Brooks said. “They should not have to worry that answering that phone could put their savings or personal information at risk. These scams are harmful, and we need to do everything we can to make it harder for bad actors to prey on vulnerable Pennsylvanians.”
The legislation also addresses the growing use of artificial intelligence and other technology in deceptive communications by prohibiting the use of computer-generated messages to deceive consumers.
Act 47 of 2026 takes effect today.