MADISON - The state Senate Tuesday approved a measure that would prohibit telemarketers from calling Wisconsin residents' cell phones.
The bill would allow cell phone numbers to be placed on the state's existing no-call list. It also would require telemarketers to honor any request made over the phone to stop calling.
The measure would increase the maximum forfeiture for telemarketers who intentionally call people on the list from $100 to $1,000.
The Senate voted 33-0 to approve the measure. It goes next to the state Assembly.
Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Waunakee, said the bill is the first addition to Wisconsin's "No Call" list law that was enacted in 2003.
He said including cellular phones is a significant improvement to the no call policy. The additional fines also will allow for better prosecution against groups that violate the law.
Erpenbach said the law will make it easier for people to tell any telemarketers not to call them.
"If people sign up for the 'Do Not Call' list they don't want to get calls and telemarketers should know when they violate the law people will complain and they will have to pay a fine," Erpenbach said. "We make it very easy for telemarketers to comply with the law.
"People want to stop cellular phone telemarketing and this bill does just that."
- The Associated Press contributed to this story.
The bill would allow cell phone numbers to be placed on the state's existing no-call list. It also would require telemarketers to honor any request made over the phone to stop calling.
The measure would increase the maximum forfeiture for telemarketers who intentionally call people on the list from $100 to $1,000.
The Senate voted 33-0 to approve the measure. It goes next to the state Assembly.
Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Waunakee, said the bill is the first addition to Wisconsin's "No Call" list law that was enacted in 2003.
He said including cellular phones is a significant improvement to the no call policy. The additional fines also will allow for better prosecution against groups that violate the law.
Erpenbach said the law will make it easier for people to tell any telemarketers not to call them.
"If people sign up for the 'Do Not Call' list they don't want to get calls and telemarketers should know when they violate the law people will complain and they will have to pay a fine," Erpenbach said. "We make it very easy for telemarketers to comply with the law.
"People want to stop cellular phone telemarketing and this bill does just that."
- The Associated Press contributed to this story.