Plain English Breakdown
The official text appears to contain a drafting error listing both 'local time zone associated with the recipient's telephone number' and 'to Pacific standard time,' creating uncertainty on which rule applies.
Rules for Sending Text Message Ads at Night
This bill stops businesses, candidates, and political committees from sending allowed text message ads between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m., requires senders to use the recipient's local time zone, allows recipients to sue if rules are broken knowingly, and states that breaking this rule is not a crime.
What This Bill Does
- Prohibits sending allowed text message advertisements between 9:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m., even if the recipient previously agreed to receive them
- Requires senders to adjust message timing based on the local time zone of the recipient's telephone number
- Allows recipients to file civil lawsuits against senders who knew or should have known they broke these rules
- Authorizes public prosecutors or the Attorney General to enforce these provisions for specified remedies
- States that breaking this specific rule is not a crime
Who It Names or Affects
- Businesses, candidates, and political committees sending text message ads
- Recipients of text message advertisements who receive messages at night
- Public prosecutors and the Attorney General enforcing these rules
Terms To Know
- Text message advertisement
- A commercial or political message sent to a mobile device, as defined by existing law.
- Civil action
- A lawsuit filed in court where one party seeks money or other remedies from another, not criminal punishment.
Limits and Unknowns
- The official text contains conflicting instructions about using the recipient's local time zone versus Pacific standard time.
- The specific date this bill will take effect is not listed in the provided material.
- The exact remedies available for violations are mentioned as 'specified' but not detailed in the summary.