§ 8-204. Telephone solicitation; automated dialing

   (a) Scope of section. -- 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.

(b) Prohibited. -- 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.

(c) Disconnection required. -- 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.

(d) Penalty. -- 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.

HISTORY: An. Code 1957, art. 78, § 55C; 1998, ch. 8, § 2.