Massachusetts has passed a bill authorizing the creation of a telemarketing do-not-call list program.
The bill now goes to Democrat Gov. Jane Swift who is expected to sign it into law within the next three weeks.
Similar programs are under consideration in New Jersey and North Carolina.
The program would take effect Jan. 2. Residents would not be charged to register on the list and under the law, would be eligible to sue errant telemarketers for civil damages of up to $5,000 per call. The attorney general’s office would have authority to prosecute such telemarketers, seeking fines of $5,000 per violation.
Telemarketers with a prior business relationship with a resident listed are exempt from the law. And nonprofit, charitable, religious and political organizations are permitted to make fundraising calls those registered on the list.
The final version of the bill puts Secretary of State William F. Galvin in charge of developing and maintaining the list.
Telemarketers would be obligated to purchase copies of the list each quarter at a price yet to be determined.
