H.B. 4972: COMMITTEE SUMMARY - UNSOLICITED ADVERTISING FAXES


House Bill 4972 (as passed by the House)

Sponsor: Representative Penny Crissman

House Committee: Consumer Protection

Senate Committee: Financial Services


Date Completed: 3-18-98


CONTENT


The bill would amend Public Act 48 of 1990, which prohibits sending advertisements to another person by fax without the recipient's prior consent, to increase the amount recoverable in a civil action for a violation of the Act.


A person who receives an advertisement in violation of the Act may file a civil suit to recover actual damages or $250, whichever is greater, if any of the following occurred before the person received the advertisement:


-- The Attorney General issued a notice to cease and desist, under the Act, to the person who sent the advertisement.

-- The sender entered into an assurance of discontinuance under the Act.

-- The person notified the sender in writing that the sender did not have the person's consent to send an advertisement.


The bill would allow the recovery of actual damages or $500, whichever was greater, plus reasonable attorney fees.


MCL 445.1776 - Legislative Analyst: P. Affholter


FISCAL IMPACT


The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.


- Fiscal Analyst: B. BowermanS9798\S4972SA

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.