CHAPTER 301. TELEPHONE SOLICITATION PRACTICES
BUSINESS AND COMMERCE CODE
TITLE 10. USE OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
SUBTITLE A. TELEPHONES
CHAPTER 301. TELEPHONE SOLICITATION PRACTICES
SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 301.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Automated dial announcing device" means automated equipment
used for telephone solicitation or collection that can:
(A) store telephone numbers to be called or produce numbers to
be called through use of a random or sequential number generator;
and
(B) convey, alone or in conjunction with other equipment, a
prerecorded or synthesized voice message to the number called
without the use of a live operator.
(2) "Consumer" means a person who is solicited to purchase,
lease, or receive a consumer good or service.
(3) "Consumer good or service" means:
(A) real property or tangible or intangible personal property
that is normally used for personal, family, or household
purposes, including:
(i) personal property intended to be attached to or installed in
any real property;
(ii) a cemetery lot; and
(iii) a time-share estate; or
(B) a service related to real or personal property.
(4) "Consumer telephone call" means an unsolicited call made to
a residential telephone number by a telephone solicitor to:
(A) solicit a sale of a consumer good or service;
(B) solicit an extension of credit for a consumer good or
service; or
(C) obtain information that will or may be used to directly
solicit a sale of a consumer good or service or to extend credit
for the sale.
(5) "Telephone solicitor" means a person who makes or causes to
be made a consumer telephone call, including a call made by an
automated dial announcing device.
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.
885, Sec. 2.01, eff. April 1, 2009.
SUBCHAPTER B. PERMITTED AND PROHIBITED PRACTICES
Sec. 301.051. TELEPHONE SOLICITATION REQUIREMENTS. (a) This
section does not apply to a consumer telephone call made:
(1) in response to the express request of the consumer;
(2) primarily in connection with an existing debt or contract
for which payment or performance has not been completed at the
time of the call; or
(3) to a consumer with whom the telephone solicitor has a prior
or existing business relationship.
(b) A telephone solicitor may not make a consumer telephone call
to a consumer unless:
(1) the telephone solicitor, immediately after making contact
with the consumer to whom the call is made, identifies:
(A) himself or herself by name;
(B) the business on whose behalf the telephone solicitor is
calling; and
(C) the purpose of the call;
(2) the telephone solicitor makes the call after 12 noon and
before 9 p.m. on a Sunday or after 9 a.m. and before 9 p.m. on a
weekday or a Saturday; and
(3) for those calls in which an automated dial announcing device
is used, the device disconnects the consumer's telephone line
within the period specified by Section 55.126, Utilities Code,
after either the telephone solicitor or the consumer terminates
the call.
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.
885, Sec. 2.01, eff. April 1, 2009.
Sec. 301.052. CHARGES TO CONSUMER'S CREDIT CARD ACCOUNT. A
person who sells consumer goods or services through the use of a
telephone solicitor may not make or submit a charge to a
consumer's credit card account unless the seller:
(1) provides that:
(A) the consumer may receive a full refund for returning
undamaged and unused goods or canceling services by providing
notice to the seller not later than the seventh day after the
date the consumer receives the goods or services; and
(B) the seller will process:
(i) a refund not later than the 30th day after the date the
seller receives the returned goods from the consumer; or
(ii) a full refund not later than the 30th day after the date
the consumer cancels an order for the purchase of services not
performed or a pro rata refund for any services not yet performed
for the consumer;
(2) provides to the consumer a written contract fully describing
the goods or services being offered, the total price to be
charged, the name, address, and business telephone number of the
seller, and any terms affecting the sale and receives from the
consumer a signed copy of the contract; or
(3) is an organization that qualifies for an exemption from
federal income taxation under Section 501(c)(3), Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, and has obtained that exemption from the Internal
Revenue Service.
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.
885, Sec. 2.01, eff. April 1, 2009.
SUBCHAPTER C. ENFORCEMENT
Sec. 301.101. INVESTIGATION BY ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE. The
attorney general's office shall investigate a complaint relating
to a violation of this chapter.
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.
885, Sec. 2.01, eff. April 1, 2009.
Sec. 301.102. INJUNCTIVE RELIEF. (a) The attorney general's
office may petition a district court for a temporary restraining
order to restrain a continuing violation of this chapter.
(b) A district court, on petition of the attorney general's
office and on finding that a person is violating this chapter,
may:
(1) issue an injunction prohibiting the person from continuing
the violation; or
(2) grant any other injunctive relief warranted by the facts.
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.
885, Sec. 2.01, eff. April 1, 2009.
Sec. 301.103. CIVIL PENALTY; RESTITUTION. (a) A person who
knowingly violates this chapter is liable for a civil penalty of
not more than $10,000 for each violation.
(b) In addition to bringing an action for injunctive relief
under Section 301.102, the attorney general's office may seek
restitution and petition a district court for the assessment of a
civil penalty as provided by this chapter.
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.
885, Sec. 2.01, eff. April 1, 2009.
Sec. 301.104. CIVIL ACTION. A consumer injured by a violation
of this chapter may bring an action for recovery of damages. The
damages awarded may not be less than the amount the consumer paid
the person who sold the consumer goods or services through the
use of the telephone solicitor, plus reasonable attorney's fees
and court costs.
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.
885, Sec. 2.01, eff. April 1, 2009.
Sec. 301.105. VENUE. Venue for an action brought under this
chapter is in:
(1) the county in which the consumer telephone call originated;
(2) the county in which the consumer telephone call was
received; or
(3) Travis County.
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.
885, Sec. 2.01, eff. April 1, 2009.