New bills are becoming public ahead of Utah’s legislative session in less than two weeks. One of them deals with the ads and solicitations you receive on your phone.
House Bill 102 from Rep. Jon Hawkins (R-Pleasant Grove) adds text messaging to the types of telephone solicitations that are regulated.
If the bill passes, texting solicitors will have to follow the same rules as telemarketers such as identifying who they are and stopping the solicitation if the person says they’re not interested.
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Solicitors could also get in trouble if they text a number that’s on the national “Do Not Call” registry.
Brittney Perez, a Lehi resident, told KUTV 2News she would like to see some regulations on text solicitations. She said her phone lights up with them at least once a day – sometimes more.
“There’s BOGO prices. I’ve had marijuana ones, I’ve had all kinds of things,” Perez said. “Women’s clothing. Travel places will text me and say that they have great offers going on.”
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Perez said she has even sometimes thought about changing her phone number with how persistent text solicitations can be.
Hawkins, the bill sponsor, told KUTV 2News he was unavailable to talk about the bill Friday. Lawmakers will consider that bill and others when they meet for the legislative session, which begins January 18.