By: Jeffrey Backman, Esq., Roy Taub, Esq., and Jacob Mars, Esq.
Pennsylvania has amended its Telemarketer Registration Act, expanding the scope of the state’s telemarketing requirements and imposing additional restrictions on businesses that contact consumers by telephone, text message, or ringless voicemail. Senate Bill 992 was signed into law on July 20, 2026, and the amendments take effect in October 2026.
Under the amended law, Pennsylvania’s telemarketing framework will apply more broadly to “telephone solicitations,” including text messages and voicemail messages. The law continues to address solicitations made for the purpose of selling consumer goods or services and separately addresses “robocalls.”
The definition of a “robocall” has also changed. Previously, “robocalls” were defined as telephone solicitations made using a “computerized autodialer.” The amended law instead refers to an “automated dialing system” used to deliver prerecorded or artificial voice calls or messages. The amendments establish specific requirements for prior express written consent for robocalls. The consent must identify the telephone number the recipient is authorizing to be called, expressly state that the recipient agrees to receive telephone solicitations from the caller—including texts and robocalls—and state that consent is not a condition of purchase. Additionally, the consent must be signed by the recipient, although a digital signature is acceptable.
The amendments do not change existing exceptions to the rules that apply to “telephone solicitations,” such as calls involving a prior existing business relationship within the preceding 12 months, calls concerning an existing debt or contract, and calls made on behalf of a tax-exempt entity. The amended law also expressly addresses opt-out requests for solicitation text messages. Businesses must honor requests when a recipient responds with any of the following terms: “STOP,” “QUIT,” “END,” “REVOKE,” “OPT OUT,” “CANCEL,” or “UNSUBSCRIBE.”
Pennsylvania is also shortening the hours during which telephone solicitations may be made. The amended law prohibits telephone solicitations on Sundays and before 9 a.m. or after 7 p.m. on other days. Previously, the permitted window extended from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m.
Violations may result in civil penalties of up to $1,000 per call or text, increasing to $3,000 when the recipient is 60 years or older. The amendments also preserve the possibility of private lawsuits.
These updated requirements highlight the importance of considering state-specific telemarketing rules in addition to federal requirements. Businesses using outbound calls, texts, or ringless voicemail messages in Pennsylvania may wish to review the amended requirements before they take effect.
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