LANSING, Mich. — Sen. John Damoose voted in favor of bipartisan legislation to strengthen enforcement against robocall scams as it passed the state Senate on Thursday.

“People have been overwhelmed by constant, endless streams of phone calls that are often an attempt to scam them,” said Damoose, R-Harbor Springs. “We’re at a point where the barrage of phone calls is legitimately disrupting people’s lives. I supported this legislation because something needs to be done to help put an end to these unwanted and often malicious attempts to rip off our citizens — specifically vulnerable residents like our senior citizens.”

Senate Bills 351-355 would:

• Create explicit rules that telephone solicitors must follow to better protect consumers.
• Prohibit telephone solicitors from blocking caller ID or displaying misleading names, phone numbers or area codes.
• Allow the attorney general to investigate and pursue civil actions for alleged violations or noncompliance.
• Impose penalties and fines of up to $75,000 for telephone solicitors who target vulnerable residents.

The bills now head to the House of Representatives for consideration.

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