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HR7116FEDERALin_committee
High Impact

The Do Not Disturb Act

Original title: Do Not Disturb Act

January 15, 2026

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Where This Stands

Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Signed

Currently in_committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Last action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.Feb 2, 2024
Lead sponsor

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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The Frame

What this does

If passed, this bill would require phone and internet service providers to offer free -blocking tools to all customers and would subject companies using AI for telemarketing to stricter disclosure rules and higher penalties for illegal messaging.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Telecommunications consumers

Consumers would be eligible for free robocall-blocking services and receive increased protections against AI-generated spam.

VoIP and telecommunications service providers

Providers must implement new technical standards, offer free blocking services, and comply with stricter reporting and disclosure requirements.

Telemarketing companies

Companies must adhere to new disclosure requirements for AI use and face higher penalties for illegal messaging practices.

What changed

Current stage: in_committee.

What's next

Floor Vote.

Summary

This bill updates federal law to expand protections against s and spam text messages. It introduces stricter regulations for AI-generated voice and text communications, requires service providers to offer free call-blocking services, and increases penalties for impersonation scams.

Why It Matters

If passed, this bill would require phone and internet service providers to offer free -blocking tools to all customers and would subject companies using AI for telemarketing to stricter disclosure rules and higher penalties for illegal messaging.

Key Facts

  • Requires telecommunications providers to offer robocall-blocking services to customers at no additional charge.
  • Expands the legal definition of 'robocall' to include text messages sent via automated systems or using AI/prerecorded content.
  • Requires mandatory disclosure when artificial intelligence is used in telemarketing calls or text messages.
  • Increases penalties for violations involving AI-generated voice or text message impersonation.
  • Adds text messaging to the Federal Trade Commission's definition of telemarketing, subjecting it to existing telemarketing rules.
  • Directs the FCC to conduct a study on text message authentication and trace-back methods.
  • Requires the FCC to track and report on the top 100 illegal robocall campaigns annually.
  • Expands calling time restrictions and regulations for inbound telephone calls.
  • Updates the Communications Act of 1934 to replace outdated 'automatic telephone dialing system' terminology with broader 'robocall' language.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I have to pay for robocall blocking under this law?
No. The bill requires service providers to offer -blocking services to customers at no charge.
Does this bill cover text messages?
Yes. It explicitly expands the definition of telemarketing and s to include text messages, including SMS, MMS, and RCS.
What happens if a company uses AI to impersonate someone?
The bill establishes enhanced penalties for violations involving AI voice or text message impersonation.

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Sponsors

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift95% confidence

Modernization of Telecommunications Law

The bill represents a significant shift from regulating 'automatic dialing systems' to a broader, technology-neutral focus on 'robocalls' that includes modern messaging like RCS and AI-generated content.

Connected Entities

personDoris MatsuiCo-sponsorMap →
personDarren SotoCo-sponsorMap →
personEric SorensenCo-sponsorMap →
organizationFederal Communications CommissionPrimary regulatory body tasked with enforcementMap →
personJan SchakowskyCo-sponsorMap →
organizationFederal Trade CommissionSecondary regulatory body tasked with enforcementMap →
personFrank PalloneRepresentative who introduced the billMap →

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance85
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy20
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment10
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz40
    Current news / social attention level

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