Includes unsolicited telemarketing transmissions in the no telemarketing sales calls statewide registry and national "do-not-call" registry

Title of bill

An act to amend the general business law, in relation to including facsimile transmissions in the no telemarketing sales calls statewide registry

Purpose

To expand the statewide no call sales registry to include unsolicited facsimiles.

Summary of provisions

Section 399-z of the general business law is amended to:

-Add the transmission of unwanted facsimiles to the statewide no call registry;

-Expands the definition of telemarketer and telemarketing to include facsimiles; and

-Provide that telemarketers may not solicit payment by either telephone or facsimiles to those persons enrolled in the New York State no call registry.

Justification

In October of 2000 the "Do Not Call" Telemarketing Sales Call Registry was created to protect consumers from unwanted sales calls. This registry has met with great success and should be expanded to protect more New Yorkers. Citizens should be free from the burden of telemarketers on their commercial and personal facsimile lines. This bill seeks to expand consumer protections from unwanted sales calls both over the telephone and by facsimiles.

Legislative history

2007/2008: S.730/A.1953 Remained in the Senate Committee on Consumer Protection and the Assembly Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection 2005/2006: S.1151 Remained in Senate Committee on Consumer Protection 2003/2004: S.4164 Remained in Consumer Protection Committee

Fiscal implications

Cost would be minimal. The registry is already established.

Effective date

On the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law.