HB 144 Summary

• Establishes a "do not contact" registry for contact points (email addresses, phone numbers, instant message identities, etc.) belonging to minors, operational by July 1, 2018, managed by a designated state division.

• Prohibits marketers from sending communications advertising products or services minors are prohibited by law from purchasing to registered contact points, unless the adult controlling the contact point provides written, age-verified consent after in-person identification verification.

• Exempts restaurants with primary purpose of selling food from consent requirements if they receive affirmative consent from an age-verified adult controlling the contact point.

• Requires marketers to pay a fee not exceeding 2 cents per communication before sending messages, with fees funding registry establishment, operation, investigation, and enforcement.

• Establishes criminal penalties for violations as misdemeanors (each communication is a separate offense) and allows civil actions for actual damages or $5,000 per violation, with prevailing parties receiving costs and attorney's fees.