Fla. Passes Bill to Limit Solicitations by Nonprofits and Telemarketers

A year after the illegal-gambling scandal involving the lieutenant governor and a purported veterans charity, the Florida legislature has passed a bill to expand oversight of charities and telemarketers soliciting donations in the state, reports The Wall Street Journal.

The state House and Senate overwhelmingly supported the measure. The bill now goes to Florida Governor Rick Scott’s desk for approval. A spokesman wouldn’t say whether Mr. Scott would support it.

If passed, the legislation would require nonprofits collecting more than $1-million in contributions annually to send audited financial reports or forms they already submit to the Internal Revenue Service to the state as well. The state’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which oversees charities, would host a website where each charity’s financial information would be available.

Charity telemarketers who collect personal information would have to submit fingerprints for background checks, and telemarketing company employees would be screened for felony convictions.

If the bill becomes law, Florida will be the 25th state to require charities to submit copies of audited financial statements annually, according to the National Council of Nonprofits, a network of 25,000 charitable nonprofits.