Title 46, Chapter 5, Section 23
( 46-5-23)
(a)(1) As used in this Code section, the term "ADAD equipment"
means any device or system of devices which is used, whether alone
or in conjunction with other equipment, for the purpose of
automatically selecting or dialing telephone numbers and
disseminating prerecorded messages to the numbers so selected or
dialed. (2) It shall be unlawful for any person to use, to employ or
direct another person to use, or to contract for the use of ADAD
equipment for the purpose of advertising or offering for sale,
lease, rental, or as a gift any goods, services, or property,
either real or personal, primarily for personal, family, or
household use or for the purpose of conducting polls or soliciting
information where: (A) Consent is not received prior to the initiation of the calls
as specified in paragraph (3) of this subsection; (B) Such use is other than between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and
9:00 P.M.; (C) The ADAD equipment will operate unattended or is not so
designed and equipped with an automatic clock and calendar
device that it will not operate unattended, even in the event of
power failures; (D) Such use involves either the random or sequential dialing of
telephone numbers; (E) The telephone number required to be stated in subparagraph
(G) of this paragraph is not one which during normal business
hours is promptly answered in person by a person who is an agent
of the person on whose behalf the automatic calls are made and
who is willing and able to provide information concerning the
automatic calls; (F) The automatic dialing and recorded message player does not
automatically and immediately terminate its connection with any
telephone call within ten seconds after the person called fails
to give consent for the playing of a recorded message or hangs
up his or her telephone; (G) The recorded message fails to state clearly the name and
telephone number of the person or organization initiating the
call within the first 25 seconds of the call and at the
conclusion of the call; or (H) Such use involves calls to telephone numbers which at the
request of the customer have been omitted from the telephone
directory published by the local exchange company serving the
customer or involves calls to hospitals, nursing homes, fire
protection agencies, or law enforcement agencies; (3)(A) A person may give consent to a call made with ADAD
equipment when a line operator introduces the call and states an
intent to play a recorded message. Any such consent shall apply
only to one particular call and shall not constitute prior
consent to receive further calls through the use of such ADAD
equipment. (B) Any person wishing to receive telephone calls through the
use of ADAD equipment shall give his or her written consent to
the person using, employing or directing another person to use,
or contracting for the use of such ADAD equipment. Any forms
used for such written consent by any person using, employing or
directing another person to use, or contracting for the use of
such ADAD equipment shall clearly and conspicuously state its
purpose and effect and clearly and conspicuously give notice of
how the consent may be withdrawn. A record of such written
consent shall be maintained by the person to whom consent is
given and shall be made available to the commission or its
authorized representative, without further action, during normal
business hours and following reasonable notice. Such consent
shall, unless withdrawn, be valid for a period of two years from
the date on which it is executed; and such record of written
consent shall be maintained by the person to whom consent is
given for at least the same period of time. Any consent to
receive telephone calls through the use of ADAD equipment shall
be void and withdrawn on the fifteenth day following the receipt
of a letter withdrawing such consent. It shall be unlawful for
any person to whom written consent is given to fail to maintain
the record of such written consent for the time period required
by this paragraph or to prevent or hinder the commission or its
authorized representative from inspecting any such record of
written consent. (b) It shall not be unlawful for any person to use, to employ or
direct another person to use, or to contract for the use of ADAD
equipment in any manner covered by the provisions of subparagraphs
(a)(2)(B) through (a)(2)(G) of this Code section when: (1) Calls are made with ADAD equipment by a nonprofit
organization, or by an individual using such calls other than for
commercial profit-making purposes, and the calls do not involve
the advertisement or offering for sale, lease, or rental of goods,
services, or property; (2) Calls made with ADAD equipment relate to payment for, service
of, or warranty coverage of previously ordered or purchased goods
or services; or (3) Calls made with ADAD equipment relate to collection of lawful
debts. (c) It shall be unlawful for any person to connect any ADAD
equipment to any telephone line in this state for the purpose of
making telephone calls to persons in this state through the use of
ADAD equipment unless a permit has been issued for such ADAD
equipment by the commission. Any person desiring to use ADAD
equipment in this state shall make application for a permit to the
commission on forms prescribed by the commission and shall pay a fee
as prescribed by the commission for such permit. Permits shall be
renewed biennially as prescribed by the commission and upon payment
of a renewal fee. The fees charged shall cover the administrative
cost for the issuance of such permits. Permits shall be subject to
suspension or revocation for any violation of this Code section. (d) The provisions of this Code section shall supersede any prior
rule, regulation, or order of the commission governing the use of
ADAD equipment but shall not prohibit or supersede any future rule,
regulation, or order of the commission governing the use of ADAD
equipment except to the extent that any such rule, regulation, or
order directly conflicts with this subsection. Except for criminal
sanctions, the commission is charged with the responsibility of
enforcing this Code section; and the commission shall require local
exchange companies to file with the commission appropriate tariff
revisions to implement this subsection. Any person who operates or
utilizes ADAD equipment in violation of the provisions of this Code
section shall be subject to disconnection of telephone service if
the violation does not cease within ten days from the date of
notification to such person by the local exchange company; and the
tariff revisions filed by local exchange companies shall provide for
the giving of such notification by local exchange companies and for
such disconnection of service. (e) Any person who violates any provision of this Code section shall
be guilty of a misdemeanor. |