WHAT THIS BILL REGULATES · 1 REQUIREMENT TYPE
How Is This Bill Enforced
Verbatim statutory text on the left; plain-language analysis and a per-section checklist on the right. Numbered markers cross-link to the matching checklist row.
(a) Definitions. As used in this section: (1) "Artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" means an engineered or machine-based system that varies in its level of autonomy and that can, for explicit or implicit objectives, infer from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments.9 V.S.A. § 2464f(a)(1)" means an engineered or machine-based system that varies in its level of autonomy and that can, for explicit or implicit objectives, infer from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments. (2) "Artificial voiceArtificial voice"Artificial voice" means a voice that is generated or significantly altered using artificial intelligence.9 V.S.A. § 2464f(a)(2)" means a voice that is generated or significantly altered using artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" means an engineered or machine-based system that varies in its level of autonomy and that can, for explicit or implicit objectives, infer from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments.9 V.S.A. § 2464f(a)(1). (3) "Automatic dialing-announcing deviceAutomatic dialing-announcing device"Automatic dialing-announcing device" means any automatic equipment that incorporates a storage capability of telephone numbers to be called or a random or sequential number generator capable of producing numbers to be called and the capability, working alone or in conjunction with other equipment, to disseminate a prerecorded message to the telephone number called.9 V.S.A. § 2464f(a)(3)" means any automatic equipment that incorporates a storage capability of telephone numbers to be called or a random or sequential number generator capable of producing numbers to be called and the capability, working alone or in conjunction with other equipment, to disseminate a prerecorded message to the telephone number called.
(b) 1 Notice. Whenever a telephone call is placed through the use of an automatic dialing-announcing deviceAutomatic dialing-announcing device"Automatic dialing-announcing device" means any automatic equipment that incorporates a storage capability of telephone numbers to be called or a random or sequential number generator capable of producing numbers to be called and the capability, working alone or in conjunction with other equipment, to disseminate a prerecorded message to the telephone number called.9 V.S.A. § 2464f(a)(3), the device may be operated only after an unrecorded, natural voice announcement has been made to the person called by the person calling. The announcement shall: (1) state the nature of the call and the name, address, and telephone number of the business or organization being represented, if any; (2) inquire as to whether the person called consents to hear the prerecorded message of the person calling; and (3) inform the person called if the prerecorded message uses an artificial voiceArtificial voice"Artificial voice" means a voice that is generated or significantly altered using artificial intelligence.9 V.S.A. § 2464f(a)(2).
(c) 2 Disconnection. The person calling, as described in subsection (a) of this section, shall disconnect the automatic dialing-announcing deviceAutomatic dialing-announcing device"Automatic dialing-announcing device" means any automatic equipment that incorporates a storage capability of telephone numbers to be called or a random or sequential number generator capable of producing numbers to be called and the capability, working alone or in conjunction with other equipment, to disseminate a prerecorded message to the telephone number called.9 V.S.A. § 2464f(a)(3) from the telephone line upon the termination of the call by either the person calling or the person called.
(d) Civil violation. (1) A violation of this section constitutes a violation of section 2453 of this title. (2) Each prohibited telephone call constitutes a separate violation under this subsection. (3)(A) A person who receives a telephone call in violation of this section may bring an action in Superior Court for damages or a civil penalty, injunctive relief, punitive damages in the case of a willful violation, and reasonable costs and attorney's fees. (B) The court may issue an award for the greater of a person's damages or a civil penalty of $500.00 for a first violation and $1,000.00 for each subsequent violation.
(e) Criminal penalties. (1) A person who commits a knowing and willful violation of this section shall be imprisoned for not more than 90 days or fined not more than $1,000.00 per violation, or both. (2) Each telephone call constitutes a separate violation under this subsection.
(f) Enforcement. The Attorney General shall exercise the Attorney General's authority and discretion to work cooperatively with other state and federal government entities to identify callers who initiate robocalls to consumers in violation of this section and to enforce the provisions of this section regardless of the location of the caller.
This section creates the bill's core obligations for callers who use automatic dialing-announcing devices. Before any prerecorded message may be played, the caller must deliver an unrecorded, natural voice announcement that identifies the caller, states the nature of the call, obtains the recipient's consent to hear the prerecorded message, and — critically for AI regulation — discloses whether the prerecorded message uses an artificial voice. The caller must also disconnect the device when the call terminates.
Enforcement is dual-track: violations are treated as consumer protection violations under 9 V.S.A. § 2453, and the bill creates a standalone private right of action with statutory civil penalties escalating from $500 to $1,000 per call, plus punitive damages for willful violations. Criminal penalties of up to 90 days imprisonment or $1,000 per violation apply to knowing and willful violations. The Attorney General is directed to enforce cooperatively with state and federal entities regardless of caller location.
This act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.
The act takes effect on July 1, 2026.