AUGUSTA — A measure by Representative Jan Dodge, D-Belfast, to require telephone utilities to provide details of services designed to reduce the volume of calls received from automated telephone calling devices, also known as spam calls or robocalls, was signed into law by Governor Janet Mills.

LD 511 provides that companies must inform customers at the point of sale about the robocall blocking service and provide it at a reasonable charge.

Dodge submitted the legislation after learning that the TRACED Act, passed by Congress in 2019, required the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to ensure robocall blocking services are available. It did not, however, require all telephone providers to implement the block requirements.

“This bill is a product of constituents reaching out and voicing their concerns,” said Dodge. “No one enjoys picking their phone up only to realize it’s a spam call. I am grateful to the governor for signing this bill into law, as it will have a direct impact on people across the state.”

The measure will go into effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns this week.

Dodge is serving her second term in the Maine House and sits on the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee. She represents the towns of Belfast, Northport and Waldo.