New telecom laws in Cal. and N.J. address 911 and junk faxes. Ca...
New telecom laws in Cal. and N.J. address 911 and junk faxes. Cal. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) signed a bill to change the way 911 calls from wireless phones are routed. Previously, all 911 calls from wireless phones were…
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routed to the nearest Cal. Highway Patrol station, which then would have to forward fire and ambulance calls to appropriate responders. Under the new law (SB-911), wireless 911 calls will be routed directly to the 911 dispatch center that covers the location of the caller, as landline 911 calls are routed. Acting N.J. Gov. Richard Codey (D) signed a bill imposing a minimum civil fine of $500 or actual damages on anyone who sends unsolicited faxed ads. The new law (AB-669) has a major exemption, letting trade groups send junk faxes to persons or entities in the trade, and permitting businesses to send junk faxes to consumers with whom they have business relationships. Senders must include in the fax explanation of why their messages are lawful. Messages also must include contact information recipients can use to remove their names from a sender’s fax list. Actions against senders can be brought in state court by any recipient.