Texting & Voicemail Rules for Sales Reps in Louisiana
To text or send ringless voicemail to sales leads in Louisiana, you need prior express written consent (PEWC) under the federal TCPA (47 CFR 64.1200(f)(9)) — a purchased list is not consent. Send only during 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM at the recipient's local time, honor STOP opt-outs immediately, and include your business name. Louisiana's key statute is La. Rev. Stat. 45:844.11 et seq., and it carries a private right of action (recipients can sue directly). Louisiana also restricts storm/insurance-claim solicitation (see below).
By Ryan Madden, Founder, FollowUp AI · Updated June 16, 2026 · This is a general summary of common rules, not legal advice. Confirm specifics with counsel.
Louisiana SMS & voicemail compliance at a glance
| Consent for automated marketing | Prior express written consent (PEWC) — 47 CFR 64.1200(f)(9) |
|---|---|
| Quiet hours | 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM — Stricter — 1 hour earlier cutoff than federal 9 PM |
| State EBR exemption | No state EBR exemption |
| State DNC registry | Yes — scrub against the state list |
| Private right of action | Yes — recipients can sue directly |
| Penalties | $500 or actual; treble for willful |
| Storm / insurance-claim restriction | During declared state of emergency, additional restrictions on telemarketing for storm damage repair, insurance, or construction services. La. Rev. Stat. 45:844.11. |
| Call-recording consent | One-party consent |
| Risk tier | High |
| Key statute | La. Rev. Stat. 45:844.11 et seq. |
Notable Louisiana rules
- Storm provisions: additional restrictions during declared state of emergency
Per-recipient timezone quiet hours, opt-out handling, and consent tracking — built in. Start free →
Frequently asked questions
Do I need consent to text sales leads in Louisiana?
Yes. Automated marketing texts (and ringless voicemail) require prior express written consent (PEWC) under the federal TCPA, 47 CFR 64.1200(f)(9), in every state including Louisiana. A purchased lead list is not consent.
What are the texting quiet hours in Louisiana?
In Louisiana, send marketing messages only 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM at the recipient's local time. Stricter — 1 hour earlier cutoff than federal 9 PM
Is there a storm or insurance-claim solicitation ban in Louisiana?
During declared state of emergency, additional restrictions on telemarketing for storm damage repair, insurance, or construction services. La. Rev. Stat. 45:844.11.
Can I be sued for texting violations in Louisiana?
Yes — Louisiana provides a private right of action, so recipients can sue you directly in addition to the federal TCPA ($500–$1,500 per violation).
Does an existing customer relationship (EBR) let me skip consent in Louisiana?
An EBR (18 months from a purchase, 3 months from an inquiry) only exempts you from the Do-Not-Call registry — it does not replace PEWC for automated marketing. You still need written consent to send automated texts or voicemail.
About the author. Ryan Madden is the founder of FollowUp AI, an SMS and ringless-voicemail follow-up platform for field sales teams, where he works on TCPA-aware outreach compliance. This is general information, not legal advice.