Quashing Unwanted and Interruptive Electronic Telecommunications Act or the QUIET Act
This bill establishes a disclosure requirement for robocalls that use artificial intelligence (AI) to emulate a human being and increases forfeiture and fine amounts for certain violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). (The TCPA prohibits certain telemarketing calls made without the recipient’s consent and using specified automated technologies.)
Specifically, any robocall that uses AI to emulate a human being must include a disclosure at the beginning of the message indicating that AI is being used. Under the bill, robocalls are defined as calls made or text messages sent (1) using automatic dialing technology, or (2) using an artificially generated message or an artificial or prerecorded voice. Calls or texts that are made or sent using equipment that requires substantial human intervention are excluded.
Further, the bill doubles the maximum forfeiture penalty and criminal fine that may be imposed for certain violations of the TCPA involving the use of AI to impersonate an individual or entity with the intent to defraud, cause harm, or wrongfully obtain anything of value. This provision applies to violations that occur after the bill’s enactment.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1027 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1027
To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to require disclosures with
respect to robocalls using artificial intelligence and to provide for
enhanced penalties for certain violations involving artificial
intelligence voice or text message impersonation, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 5, 2025
Mr. Sorensen (for himself and Mr. Ciscomani) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to require disclosures with
respect to robocalls using artificial intelligence and to provide for
enhanced penalties for certain violations involving artificial
intelligence voice or text message impersonation, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Quashing Unwanted and Interruptive
Electronic Telecommunications Act'' or the ``QUIET Act''.
SEC. 2. DISCLOSURE REQUIRED FOR ROBOCALLS USING AI.
Section 227 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 227) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(k) Disclosure Required for Robocalls Using AI.--
``(1) In general.--If a person making a robocall uses
artificial intelligence to emulate a human being, such person
shall disclose at the beginning of the call or text message the
fact that artificial intelligence is being used.
``(2) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(A) Robocall.--
``(i) In general.--The term `robocall'
means a call made or text message sent--
``(I) using equipment, whether
hardware, software, or a combination
thereof and including an automatic
telephone dialing system, that makes a
call or sends a text message to--
``(aa) stored telephone
numbers; or
``(bb) telephone numbers
produced using a random or
sequential number generator; or
``(II) using an artificial or
prerecorded voice or an artificially
generated message.
``(ii) Limitation.--For purposes of clause
(i)(I), the term `robocall' does not include a
call made or text message sent using equipment
that requires substantial human intervention to
make or send the call or text message.
``(B) Text message.--
``(i) In general.--The term `text message'
means a message consisting of text, images,
sounds, or other information that is
transmitted to or from a device that is
identified as the receiving or transmitting
device by means of a 10-digit telephone number,
N11 service code, short code telephone number,
or email address, or that is transmitted
through application-to-person messaging, and
includes--
``(I) a short message service
(commonly referred to as `SMS')
message;
``(II) a multimedia message service
(commonly referred to as `MMS')
message; and
``(III) a rich communication
service (commonly referred to as `RCS')
message.
``(ii) Limitation.--The term `text message'
does not include a real-time, two-way voice or
video communication.''.
SEC. 3. ENHANCED PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS INVOLVING AI VOICE OR TEXT
MESSAGE IMPERSONATION.
(a) In General.--Section 227 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47
U.S.C. 227), as amended by the preceding provisions of this Act, is
further amended by adding at the end the following:
``(l) Enhanced Penalties for Violations Involving AI Voice or Text
Message Impersonation.--In the case of a violation of this section with
respect to which the party making the call or sending the text message
uses artificial intelligence to impersonate an individual or entity
with the intent to defraud, cause harm, or wrongfully obtain anything
of value--
``(1) the maximum amount of the forfeiture penalty that may
be imposed under subsection (b)(4) or (e)(5)(A) of this section
or subsection (b) of section 503 (as the case may be) shall be
twice the maximum amount that may be imposed for such violation
under such subsection without regard to this subsection; and
``(2) the maximum amount of the criminal fine that may be
imposed under subsection (e)(5)(B) of this section or section
501 (as the case may be) shall be twice the maximum amount that
may be imposed for such violation under such subsection or
section without regard to this subsection.''.
(b) Applicability.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
apply with respect to violations occurring after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H519)
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