§ 8-204. Automated dialing systems for solicitation prohibited

West's Annotated Code of MarylandPublic Utilities

West's Annotated Code of Maryland
Public Utilities (Refs & Annos)
Division I. Public Services and Utilities [Titles 1-15] (Refs & Annos)
Title 8. Telegraph and Telephone Companies (Refs & Annos)
Subtitle 2. Telephone Service (Refs & Annos)
MD Code, Public Utilities, § 8-204
Formerly cited as MD PUBLIC UTIL COMP § 8-204
§ 8-204. Automated dialing systems for solicitation prohibited
Currentness
Application of section
(a) This section does not apply to:
(1) a unit of federal, State, or local government that uses an automated dialing prerecorded message machine for emergency purposes; or
(2) a person who has a preexisting business relationship with, or the consent of, the person called.
Automated dialing systems for solicitation prohibited
(b) A person may not use an automated dialing, push-button, or tone-activated address signaling system with a prerecorded message to:
(1) solicit persons to purchase, lease, or rent goods or services;
(2) offer a gift or prize;
(3) conduct a poll; or
(4) request survey information if the results will be used directly to solicit persons to purchase, lease, or rent goods or services.
Disconnection within 5 seconds of termination of call
(c) The sender of an automated dialing, push-button, or tone-activated address signaling call shall disconnect the prerecorded message machine from the recipient's telephone line within 5 seconds after the termination of the call by either the person calling or the person called.
Fines and penalties
(d) A person who violates a provision of subsection (b) or (c) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine:
(1) not exceeding $1,000 for the first offense; and
(2) not exceeding $5,000 for each subsequent offense.

Credits

Added by Acts 1998, c. 8, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 1998.
Formerly Art. 78, § 55C.
MD Code, Public Utilities, § 8-204, MD PUBLIC UTIL § 8-204
Current through legislation effective through April 9, 2023, from the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly. Some statute sections may be more current, see credits for details.
End of Document