# Public Utilities (GPU)

## Title 8. Telegraph and Telephone Companies

### Subtitle 2. Telephone Service

#### Section 8-204

(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.

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Md. Code Ann., Pub. Util. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)