What's happening
This bill requires telephone companies to cancel phone numbers used in advertisements that violate state or local law upon request.
Why it matters
Targets illegal or deceptive advertising. By mandating the cancellation of phone numbers used in ads that break state or local laws, this bill aims to disrupt the ability of bad actors to continue operating and reaching consumers via new numbers.
Empowers enforcement agencies. The “department” (likely a consumer protection or regulatory body) is given direct authority to request cancellations, potentially speeding up the process of stopping illegal advertisements and reducing consumer harm.
Increases accountability for phone companies. Telephone corporations would be required to comply with cancellation requests, making them active participants in upholding advertising laws and potentially deterring them from facilitating repeat offenders.
Could deter unlawful businesses. Knowing that their advertised numbers can be quickly canceled may discourage businesses from using illegal ads in the first place, thereby promoting a fairer marketplace and protecting consumers from scams or unlawful services.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Cancel Illegal Ad Phone Numbers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to consumer protection
- Referred to consumer protection
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5524
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
April 6, 2017
Introduced by Sen. AVELLA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Consumer Protection
AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to telephone numbers used in advertisements that violate state or local law
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The general business law is amended by adding a new section 350-d-1 to read as follows:
§ 350-d-1. Telephone number cancellation. A telephone number used in an advertisement that violates state or local law shall be canceled by the telephone corporation, as defined in section two of the public service law, which issued said telephone number upon request for such cancellation by the department.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10200-02-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to telephone numbers used in advertisements that violate state or local law
Purpose or general idea of bill
To provide the state of New York with the authority to cancel any telephone number used in an advertisement that violates state or local law.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends the general business law and adds section 350-d-1.
Section 2 sets an effective immediate date.
Justification
This legislation will permit the state to cancel a telephone number used in an advertisement which violates state or federal law. Throughout New York, signs are illegally placed on street poles, street lights, and other visible landmarks. The individuals posting these signs are obtaining free advertising through city and/or state resources, a practice contrary to law but nonetheless difficult to enforce.
By cancelling the phone numbers placed on these unlawful and unsightly ads, the individuals posting these signs will be required to constantly acquire new telephone numbers and change the posted advertisements. Permitting the state to cancel these numbers will frustrate the aims of the advertisements and deter this unlawful practice throughout New York.
Prior legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.