§ 8-204
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/md/public-utilities/8-204A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
§8–204.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.