Pennsylvania HB 2255: An Act amending the act of December 4, 1996 (P.L.911, No.147), known as the Telemarketer Registration Act, further providing for definitions, for unlawful acts and penalties and for violations; and imposing penalties.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 2953
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 2255
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY PIELLI, McNEILL, WAXMAN, GIRAL, GUZMAN, SANCHEZ,
HILL-EVANS, FREEMAN, MAYES, VENKAT, NEILSON, DOUGHERTY,
HANBIDGE, INGLIS AND HOWARD, FEBRUARY 27, 2026
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY,
MARCH 3, 2026
AN ACT
Amending the act of December 4, 1996 (P.L.911, No.147), entitled
"An act providing for registration requirements for
telemarketers and for powers and duties of the Office of
Attorney General," further providing for definitions, for
unlawful acts and penalties and for violations; and imposing
penalties.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 2 of the act of December 4, 1996
(P.L.911, No.147), known as the Telemarketer Registration Act,
is amended by adding definitions to read:
Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Artificial intelligence." As follows:
(1) A machine-based system that can, for a given set of
human-defined objectives, make predictions, recommendations
or decisions influencing real or virtual environments,
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19

including the ability to:
(i) perceive real and virtual environments;
(ii) abstract perceptions made under subparagraph
(i) into models through analysis in an automated manner;
and
(iii) use model inference to formulate options for
information or action based on outcomes under
subparagraphs (i) and (ii).
(2) The term includes generative artificial
intelligence.
* * *
"Generative artificial intelligence." The class of models
that emulate the structure and characteristics of input data in
order to generate derived synthetic content.
* * *
"Synthetic content." Information, including images, videos,
audio clips and text, that has been significantly modified or
generated by algorithms, including by artificial intelligence.
* * *
Section 2. Section 5(a) of the act is amended by adding a
paragraph to read:
Section 5. Unlawful acts and penalties.
(a) Acts enumerated.--The following acts are prohibited:
* * *
(11) Using artificial intelligence to:
(i) Make a telemarketing solicitation call.
(ii) Mimic the voice of a human on a telemarketing
solicitation call.
(iii) Select telephone numbers for telemarketing
purposes.
20260HB2255PN2953 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

(iv) Change a telephone number to disguise the
origin of a telemarketing solicitation call.
(v) Otherwise interact with a consumer during a
telemarketing solicitation call.
* * *
Section 3. Section 6 of the act is amended by adding a
subsection to read:
Section 6. Violations.
* * *
(d) Violations relating to use of artificial intelligence.--
(1) In addition to any other penalty available under
this section or other law, a person that violates section
5(a)(11) shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed:
(i) $25,000 for a first violation.
(ii) $50,000 for a second violation.
(iii) $100,000 for a third or subsequent violation.
(2) An individual who has received a telemarketing
solicitation call in violation of section 5(a)(11) may bring
a private right of action in a court of common pleas in
accordance with the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure.
Section 4. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
20260HB2255PN2953 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21