Bill forcing telemarketer transparency clears Senate committee

Matthew Fazelpoor//January 30, 2023

A measure that would require more transparency from telemarketers passed the Senate Commerce Committee last week in Trenton.

The legislation – Senate Bill 921, sponsored by Sen. Jon Bramnick, R-21st District, and Sen. Nellie Pou, D-35th District – would require telemarketers to identify themselves and what they’re selling within the first 30 seconds of a call.

The telemarketers would have to provide the name, mailing address, and telephone number of the person or entity they are representing.

Call center — Under new legislation, telemarketers would be required to identify themselves and what they’re selling within the first 30 seconds of a call. – PEXELS

“New Jerseyans should know who they’re talking to on phone and what’s being sold to them by telemarketers,” said Bramnick. “My legislation requires more transparency from telemarketers and punishes those who lie and misrepresent information on sales calls.”

Telemarketers would also be required to display their mailing address on any website they own and operate, as well as the address of any business that they represent on sales calls.

Additionally, the bill would prohibit telemarketers from making unsolicited sales calls to any customer between the hours of 9 p.m. and 8 a.m., as well as prohibit telemarketers from intentionally using any method that blocks a caller ID service from displaying its information or in some way circumvents a customer’s caller ID service.

A violation of these requirements would result in a disorderly person’s offense in accordance with the Consumer Fraud Act.

The measured cleared committee by a unanimous 5-0 vote.

“If you’re on the up and up, you should have no problem with this bill if you’re a telemarketer,” Bramnick added.