Md. PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANIES Code Ann. § 8-204
§ 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;
(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.
