Governor Kathy Hochul today signed legislation (A4456/S4617) to crack down on telemarketers and safeguard New Yorkers from continuous, unwanted calls. This legislation will help curb calls by nearly doubling the fine for telemarketers violating the Do Not Call Registry. 

 

“Every day, hard-working New Yorkers are forced to field call after call from relentless telemarketers,” Governor Hochul said. “Today, we’re raising the penalty for violators of the Do Not Call Registry to deter telemarketers, protect New Yorkers, and send a clear message that New York won’t tolerate these frustrating, unsolicited calls.”

 

Legislation (A4456/S4617) amends the general business law to raise the maximum fine for violators of the Do Not Call Registry from the current $11,000 penalty set in 2004 to $20,000. By raising the fine, this legislation will deter telemarketers and safeguard New Yorkers from incessant calls. This builds on legislation Governor Hochul signed into law in December 2022 to require telemarketers to give customers the option to be added to the company's do-not-call list at the outset of certain telemarketing calls.

 

State Senator Joseph A. Griffo said, “I am pleased that the Governor has signed this bill into law and thank Assemblyman Bores for his efforts to address this issue. It is my hope that this legislation will provide some much-needed relief to New Yorkers who are sick and tired of receiving bothersome, inconvenient and troublesome calls every day.”

 

Assemblymember Alex Bores said, "This law is a victory for every New Yorker who would like to be able to pick up their phone in peace. I am grateful to Senator Griffo and the Governor for ensuring this common sense legislation, which received overwhelming bipartisan support in both houses, is now law."