H.B. 797 Summary

• Requires telecommunications carriers to automatically block calls to residential and personal mobile phone lines in Hawaii if the caller's telephone number does not belong to an exempted entity.

• Exempts calls from emergency service providers, state and federal government agencies, financial institutions licensed under chapter 412, registered businesses, licensed professionals, and tax-exempt organizations domiciled in Hawaii.

• Exempts calls from verified residential or personal mobile phone lines associated with accounts of telecommunications carrier customers.

• Allows customers to request in writing that specific telephone numbers be unblocked, and to request that previously unblocked numbers be re-blocked (except for emergency services and government agencies).

• Takes effect upon approval.