The Maryland Stop the Spam Calls Act, enacted as SB 90 and Chapter 413 of 2023, took effect on January 1, 2024. It prohibits telephone solicitations, including calls, text messages, and voicemail, made using automated dialing or recorded or artificial voice messages without the called party’s prior express written consent.
What the Maryland Stop the Spam Calls Act Requires
Consent must be a signed writing that authorizes the specific solicitations and identifies the number, and it cannot be a condition of purchase. The Act limits solicitations to three per 24 hours on the same subject, restricts calling hours to 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and bans caller ID spoofing. Exemptions exist for existing business relationships and certain nonprofit and business-to-business calls, but written consent is the safe path for marketing texts.
Enforcement Under the Consumer Protection Act
Violations are unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practices under the Maryland Consumer Protection Act. That means enforcement by the attorney general with civil penalties of up to 10,000 dollars per violation and 25,000 dollars for repeats, potential criminal fines, and private consumer suits that do not require proof of actual damages.
Source: Maryland General Assembly: SB 90 (Chapter 413 of 2023)
Report a violation: If you believe a business is violating this law, you can file a complaint with the Maryland Attorney General Consumer Protection Division.
