HB488 Summary

• Removes the blanket exemption of charitable organizations from the Alabama Telemarketing Act and subjects them to certain disclosure requirements previously applicable only to commercial telephone sellers.

• Requires charitable telephone solicitors to disclose their name and the organization they represent within the first 30 seconds of a call, and to disclose the percentage of donations used for charitable purposes versus administrative costs before a donation is completed.

• Modifies Section 8-19A-4 to clarify that the charitable organization exemption applies only as provided in Section 8-19A-12, creating new disclosure obligations for charitable solicitations.

• Becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.

• Classified as defining a new crime or amending an existing crime definition to satisfy Amendment 621 constitutional requirements regarding local government expenditures.