New Texas Law Targets Annoying Telemarketing Texts

New Protections Against Telemarketing Texts

• 💡 A new Texas law, Senate Bill 140, officially took effect this week, expanding the definition of telephone solicitation to include text messages.
• 🎯 This law covers any text message designed to persuade you to buy, rent, or claim a product or service, similar to telemarketing calls.

Requirements for Businesses

• 📝 Before soliciting Texans by text, businesses must now register with the state.
• ✅ They are required to obtain written consent from consumers before sending texts.
• 🚫 Businesses must provide an easy opt-out option, such as replying with 'STOP' to cease immediate texting.
• ⏰ Additionally, businesses must observe quiet hours for their text solicitations.

Consumer Rights and Recourse

• ⚖️ Senate Bill 140 closes a loophole where companies previously argued texts were not phone calls, thus avoiding regulations.
• ↩️ Consumers can opt out by simply replying with 'STOP'.
• 📣 You can report non-compliant businesses to the Texas Attorney General's office.
• 💰 For the first time, Texans can directly sue businesses that send unsolicited sales pitches via text without consent.