Pennsylvania SB 992, enacted as Act 47 of 2026 and effective October 18, 2026, overhauls the state’s Telemarketer Registration Act and extends it to automated texts, prerecorded calls, and AI-generated messages. Signed by Governor Josh Shapiro in July 2026, it gives Pennsylvania one of the stricter state mini-TCPA regimes and reaches any business that calls or texts Pennsylvania consumers to make a sale.
What Pennsylvania SB 992 Requires
The law requires prior express written consent before a business makes autodialed or prerecorded telemarketing calls or sends marketing texts to Pennsylvania numbers. It limits telemarketing to the hours of 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and bans telemarketing calls on Sundays. Its definitions reach text messages, voicemails, and ringless voicemails, so marketing SMS falls squarely under the regime. The statute also prohibits caller ID spoofing and the use of AI-generated deception in solicitations.
Who Is Liable and the Penalties
Liability extends beyond the party dialing the phone to the business that hired the telemarketer, so a company cannot escape responsibility by outsourcing its campaigns. Penalties reach up to $1,000 per call, rising to up to $3,000 per call when the recipient is over 60. The compliance clock runs 90 days from signing, which sets the effective date at October 18, 2026. Any business that texts or calls Pennsylvania consumers should confirm documented written opt-in consent, honor the time and day restrictions, and audit its telemarketing vendors before then.
Source: Pennsylvania General Assembly: Senate Bill 992 (2025-2026)
Report a violation: If you believe a business is violating this law, you can file a complaint with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Bureau of Consumer Protection.
