What's happening
This bill prohibits telemarketers from making unsolicited sales calls to people in areas under a declared state or disaster emergency in New York.
Why it matters
Provides added protection for residents in crisis zones. By prohibiting telemarketers from contacting individuals during a state or disaster emergency, the bill aims to shield people dealing with emergencies from unwanted interruptions and potential scams.
Targets telemarketing abuses during vulnerable times. The law acknowledges that disaster situations often see a spike in fraudulent sales tactics, and aims to reduce the risk of exploitation when residents are most at risk.
Creates clear legal standards for telemarketers. The amendment defines a specific, actionable restriction—telemarketers cannot knowingly contact people in affected areas during emergencies—making enforcement and compliance clearer for both businesses and regulators.
Supports emergency response efforts. By reducing the volume of non-essential calls during emergencies, the bill helps ensure that phone lines and residents’ attention remain available for official communications and urgent needs.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Telemarketing During Emergencies
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Signed chap.680
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to assembly
- Passed senateVote 62–0
- 3rd reading cal.549
- Substituted for S4020A
- Referred to rules
- Delivered to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading rules cal.438
- Rules report cal.438
- Reported
Show 5 earlier actions
- Reported referred to rules
- Print number 117a
- Amend (t) and recommit to codes
- Reported referred to codes
- Referred to consumer affairs and protection
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Stop Telemarketing During Emergencies
Senate Floor Calendar · Sponsor Kevin Thomas
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
117--A
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. BUCHWALD -- read once and referred to the Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection -- reported and referred to the Committee on Codes -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to prohibiting telemarketers from knowingly placing unsolicited telemarketing sales calls during a state of emergency or disaster emergency
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 399-z of the general business law is amended by adding a new subdivision 5-a to read as follows:
5-a. It shall be unlawful for any telemarketer doing business in this state to knowingly make an unsolicited telemarketing sales call to any person in a county, city, town or village under a declared state of emergency or disaster emergency as described in sections twenty-four or twenty-eight of the executive law.
§ 2. Subdivision 7 of section 399-pp of the general business law is amended by adding a new paragraph f to read as follows:
f. knowingly make an unsolicited telemarketing sales call to any person in a county, city, town or village under a declared state of emergency or disaster emergency as described in sections twenty-four or twenty-eight of the executive law.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01070-02-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.