HARRISBURG — Pennsylvanians could have fewer dinnertime interruptions and automatic political messages on their answering machines under a bill approved by the state Senate on Wednesday.

The measure would allow people to block automatic telephone calls, or "robocalls," by political campaigns, parties and organizations. The bill, which passed 48-1, now goes to the House of Representatives, where similar measures are awaiting a vote.

Under the bill, a person wishing to block recorded political calls would have to specify that they want their telephone number to appear on a "do-not-call" list to be maintained by the attorney general's office or another state agency.

"I don't think there's anyone with a phone in Pennsylvania that did not receive multiple robocalls" during the run-up to the April 22 primary election, said the bill's sponsor, Sen. Dominic Pileggi, R-Delaware. "I don't think anyone really welcomes those calls and this bill gives people a choice."

If the Senate bill is acted on soon enough, it could be in effect in time for the November general election.

The list would be similar in concept to the state's 12-year-old "Do Not Call" list for telemarketers but would only bar recorded political calls. A person making calls on behalf of political candidates and groups would still be allowed to dial anyone on the list.

A previous version of the bill sought to ban robocalls outright. However, Pileggi acknowledged that such an approach raised constitutional questions, so it was changed to a voluntary process.