Steve Six (D)
TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline)-Kansas Attorney General Steve Six said Friday that he wants to curb unwanted robo-calls from politicians and businesses.
In announcing his 2010 legislative priorities, the Democrat said he wants to place "tough new restrictions" on the automated calls that are especially prevalent in election years.
His proposed Robo-Call Privacy Act would target both commercial and political calls. The bill is modeled after a Minnesota law, upheld for its constitutionality.
"Kansans have consistently voiced concern about the number of annoying robo-calls they receive at home, especially during an election year," Six said. "It is important that Kansans be protected from robo-calls that interrupt their dinner table conversation."
The bill would require that a person give consent to hearing a recorded message before the message could be played.
There are exceptions in the bill, including for notifications from work, schools and for agencies that contact crime victims about upcoming court dates.
If enacted, the law would be enforced by the state attorney general's office.
Also a part of Six's legislative agenda is an effort to provide better protections for individuals giving their durable power of attorney to someone else.
"My office often encounters situations where the elderly are exploited by individuals that they have given their durable power of attorney," Six said. "This legislation will address these heartbreaking situations."
Six was appointed Kansas's chief legal officer by former Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. He's running for a full, four-year term this year.
From Legal Newsline: Reach staff reporter Chris Rizo at chrisrizo@legalnewsline.com.