§ 8–204
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Pub. Util. § 8-204 (2026)
Title 8. Telegraph and Telephone Companies
Subtitle 2. Telephone Service
§ 8–204LinkCopy Citation
(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.