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<section article="gcl" article_name="Commercial Law" number="14-4501" title_number="14" title_name="Miscellaneous Consumer Protection Provisions" subtitle_number="45" subtitle_name="Telephone Solicitations">
  <level label="a">
    <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>“Called party” means a person who is a regular user of a telephone number that receives a telephone solicitation.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>“Caller identification service” means a service that allows a telephone subscriber to have the telephone number and, where available, the name of the calling party transmitted simultaneously with the telephone call and displayed on a device connected to the subscriber’s telephone.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>“Prior express written consent” means a written agreement that:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Bears the signature of the called party;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Clearly authorizes the person making or allowing the placement of a telephone solicitation by telephone call, text message, or voicemail to deliver or cause to be delivered to the called party:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>A telephone solicitation using an automated system for the selection or dialing of telephone numbers;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>The playing of a recorded or artificial voice message when a connection is completed to a number called; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>The transmission of a prerecorded voicemail; and</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Includes:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>The telephone number to which the signatory authorizes a telephone solicitation to be delivered; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>A clear and conspicuous disclosure informing the called party that:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>By executing the agreement, the called party authorizes the person making or allowing the placement of a telephone solicitation to deliver or cause to be delivered a telephone solicitation to the called party using:</text>
        </level>
        <level label="A">
          <text>An automated system for the selection or dialing of telephone numbers; or</text>
        </level>
        <level label="B">
          <text>The playing of a recorded message when a connection is completed to a number called; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>The called party is not required to directly or indirectly:</text>
        </level>
        <level label="A">
          <text>Sign the written agreement; or</text>
        </level>
        <level label="B">
          <text>Agree to enter into the agreement as a condition of purchasing any property, goods, or services.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <text>“Signature” includes an electronic or digital signature to the extent that the form of signature is recognized as a valid signature under applicable federal law or State contract law.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="f">
    <text>“Telephone solicitation” has the meaning stated in § 8–205 of the Public Utilities Article.</text>
  </level>
</section>
