We aim to highlight the importance of due diligence in lead campaigns and to keep our customers and industry associates up-to-date with the compliance news reported for our industry. This article is reprinted here for our readers from the blog TCPA Monitor, courtesy of our legal partners Mac Murray & Shuster LLP. The information on this page and related links is provided for general education purposes only and is not legal advice. Convoso does not guarantee the accuracy or appropriateness of this information to your situation. You are solely responsible for using Convoso’s services in a legally compliant way and should consult your legal counsel for compliance advice. Any quotes are solely the views of the quoted person and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Convoso.
The Oklahoma House has passed the pending legislation discussed below into law as of May 18, 2022.
Oklahoma Set to Enact Problematic “Automated System” Restrictions in TCPA-like Bill
by Michele Shuster
After its April 26th unanimous passage by the Oklahoma Senate, the Oklahoma Telephone Solicitation Act of 2022 (HB 3168) has returned to the House, where it appears certain to pass and be enacted into law. The bill’s complicated definition of an “automated system” is very similar to Florida’s 2021 amended Telemarketing Sales Act, which shook the telemarketing world with its harsh and ambiguous “automated system” language, thereby becoming a favorite for Florida plaintiffs.
Notably, the Oklahoma Telephone Solicitation Act imposes a prior express written consent standard for sales calls, including texts and voicemails, made using an automated system or a recorded message. It also adds a private right of action for actual damages or statutory damages up to $1,500, whichever is greater, for any violation.
The bill’s definition of prior express written consent largely mirrors the TCPA’s definition, The consent language must explicitly cover voicemail messages. The bill does not state how robust the “consent not required” disclosure must be.
The problematic portion of the proposed legislation prohibits a person from making telephone sales calls using an “automated system for the selection or dialing of telephone numbers” without the called party’s prior express written consent. The bill does not define the “automated system for selection” phrase.
So, what does this phrase mean? It is hard to be certain without state guidance or court interpretations, but it could very well mean that businesses will be prohibited from automatically selecting numbers from indexed customer lists. If this interpretation proves true, the bill will reach beyond the TCPA’s prohibition against calls made without consent using an automatic telephone dialing system, which is a device that uses a random or sequential telephone number generator to either store or produce a telephone number.
Other provisions of HB 3168 include call volume limitations (maximum 3 per 24 hours), calling time restrictions (8am-8pm), and very specific caller ID restrictions. The bill enumerates several broad exemptions, including calls made for certain noncommercial purposes and calls made to a recipient with an established business relationship. Interestingly, the bill provides that “a commercial telephone seller” is exempt from the act; however, prohibitions on actions by commercial telephone sellers are found in other sections of the bill. Time will tell whether such a broad exemption was meant to be included.
If enacted, the bill would become effective November 1, 2022. Businesses should work with counsel to evaluate the potential impact of the bill as it relates to their call and text campaigns.
*Aaron Parry contributed to this post
Get blog articles delivered to your inbox in our monthly roundup of the Convoso omnichannel contact center blog for insights on all the latest trends, tips, and more. Subscribe to the Convoso blog.
