SENATE PASSES LEGISLATION TO STRENGTHEN STATEWIDE 'DO NOT CALL' REGISTRY

Tuesday, March 9, 2004

The New York State Senate today passed legislation that increases the fine for violating the provisions of New York State�s "Do Not Call" Registry to the same level as the fine for violation of the National �Do Not Call� Registry.

"Four years ago, my colleagues and I in the Senate led the efforts to create the �Do Not Call� Registry and protect New York consumers from unwanted phone calls from telemarketers," said Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno. "This legislation toughens the penalty for those who violate the State registry and creates one uniform national system for businesses and consumers."

"The �Do Not Call� Registry, since its inception, has been a tremendous success in affording consumers both privacy in their homes and protection from potential telemarketing scams," stated Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., the Senate bill sponsor. "By increasing the fines levied to telemarketing companies who violate the law, New York State will be able to impose greater financial penalties and increase protection to the more than two million New Yorkers who have joined the registry."

The bill (S.6041) increases the fine for each violation of New York State�s �Do Not Call� Statewide Registry from $5,000 to $11,000, bringing the amount in line with the fine imposed for violations of the National �Do Not Call� Registry.

The New York State �Do Not Call� Registry, which began in 2000 was recently incorporated into the National �Do Not Call� program and has collected approximately $1 million from companies that have violated the law. More than 3 million New York households have registered for protection from unwanted telemarketing phone calls, making New York�s the largest state-run registry in the country.

The bill was sent to the Assembly.

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