Unsolicited marketing by text message is now illegal in Connecticut. Governor Dannel Malloy said Thursday he signed legislation reducing what he calls unwanted, unsolicited commercial phone intrusions.
The legislation adds text messages to the state's "Do Not Call" registry.
Sen. Paul Doyle, co-chairman of the legislature's General Law Committee, said during legislative debate that lawmakers were responding to complaints that consumers are charged for text messages, even unsolicited messages from telemarketers and other businesses.
The law increases the maximum fine for violations to $20,000 from $11,000 and requires companies issuing account statements for cell and landline phones to print a conspicuous notice at least twice a year informing consumers of prohibited actions by solicitors and how to place their numbers on the "Do Not Call" registry.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
