HB1957

This bill amends the existing 'Unsolicited Commercial and Sexually Explicit Electronic Mail Prevention Act' to include unsolicited commercial and sexually explicit text messages. It mandates that senders of commercial text messages clearly disclose their identity, the purpose of the message, and provide an accessible method for recipients to opt out of future communications. The bill defines key terms such as 'phone service provider' and 'text message' to facilitate regulatory enforcement. It provides phone service providers with the authority to block messages they believe violate these standards without incurring liability. Additionally, the legislation grants recipients and service providers the right to pursue civil action against violators, allowing for statutory damages of $10 per message or up to $25,000 per day. Finally, it classifies violations of these provisions as unfair and deceptive acts under Arkansas law.