It's Not Over YetÑOhio Still Needs Senate Bill 28
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2003-07-22 11:52:00-04:00
Ohio Still Needs Senate Bill 28
A substitute version of Senate Bill 28 was recently accepted by the House Civil and Commercial Law Committee. The changes reflect developments at the federal level since Senator Robert Spada's introduction of the Ohio Do Not Call proposal last winter.
Although the federal law gives consumers on the Do Not Call list the right to take legal action against telemarketers who continue to call, AARP continues to press the committee to pass an Ohio-specific do-not-call law.
"A state law would simplify access to state court, making the process easier, more efficient and quicker for consumers," said Dolores Blankenship, AARP Ohio advocacy volunteer.
The federal rules state that a consumer cannot take legal action until receiving a second call from the same telemarketing firm.
Blankenship responds, "Experience tells us that consumers will not bother to assert their rights if doing so is complex."
AARP Ohio Government Affairs Representative Ron Bridges stated, "The feds gave state lawmakers the option to exceed the minimum standards that prevent unwanted telemarketing calls. Our members are telling us they want to see a state law enacted, which could be designed to suit the specifics of the problem in Ohio, now and in the future."
Senate Bill 28 is now being heard by the Ohio House Commercial and Civil Law Committee. Send an email to committee members by going to the AARP Legislative Action Center and tell them Ohio needs its own Do Not Call legislation. Call (800) 282-0253 to leave messages for committee members.
State Rep. Bill Seitz, R-Cincinnati, chairs the Commercial and Civil Law Committee.
Members are: State representatives John Schlichter (R-Washington Court House), Anthony Core (R-Rushsylvania), Timothy Grendell (R-Chesterland), Robert Latta (R-Bowling Green), John Willamowski (R-Lima), Thomas Book (D-McDermott), Joyce Beatty (D-Columbus), Sandra Harwood (D-Niles) and Lance Mason (D-Shaker Heights).
If you would like to take part in the AARP Ohio campaign to pass this legislation, join AARP's network of Citizen Advocates.
Or contact the AARP Ohio Office at 1 S. High Street, Columbus, OH 43215, phone (614) 224-9800, fax (614) 224-9801.
Related Articles
- AARP Ohio Supports "Do-Not-Call" Legislation
- AARP Sees National "Do Not Call" List as Huge Benefit to Frustrated Consumers
- AARP Ohio Audio News Release on SB 28
Other Resources
- AARP Politics & Advocacy Channel
- AARP's Network of Citizen Advocates
- Ohio Attorney General
- Ohio Consumers' Counsel
- National Do Not Call Registry
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