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HB 2255

An Act amending the act of December 4, 1996 (P.L.911, No.147), known as the Telemarketer Registration Act, further providing for definitions, for unlawful acts and penalties and for violations; and imposing penalties.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz and 16 co-sponsors

HB 2255 updates Pennsylvania's 1996 telemarketer law with stricter definitions and increased penalties to combat modern telemarketing fraud and unwanted calls.

Referred to Communications & Technology
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 2255

Legislative bill overview

HB 2255 amends Pennsylvania's Telemarketer Registration Act from 1996 to update definitions, expand prohibited conduct, and increase penalties for violations. The bill modernizes enforcement mechanisms for telemarketing practices that the existing 30-year-old law no longer adequately addresses.

Why is this important

Telemarketing fraud and nuisance calls have evolved significantly since 1996, with new technologies enabling spoofing, robocalls, and sophisticated scams targeting vulnerable populations. Updated penalties and clearer definitions help protect Pennsylvania residents and give enforcement agencies better tools to combat illegal telemarketing while potentially reducing unwanted contact volumes.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition scope uncertainty: The bill's specific new definitions aren't detailed in this summary, making it unclear whether legitimate businesses (charities, political campaigns, debt collectors) face new restrictions or just bad actors
  • Penalty levels: Without knowing the proposed increases, stakeholders may debate whether penalties are proportionate—too low to deter large operations, too high for small businesses making honest mistakes
  • Enforcement burden: Clarifying what constitutes "unlawful acts" could create compliance confusion and require small telemarketing firms to invest in legal review, potentially eliminating smaller competitors

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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