Maryland telemarketing law
MD Wiretap Act (two-party) + Maryland Telephone Solicitations Act.
Maryland's Wiretap Act (Md. Code Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 10-402) requires all-party consent for recording — like California and Massachusetts. Telemarketing has its own statute on top.
Key requirements
Recording
All-party consent. Criminal misdemeanor + civil penalties for unauthorized recording.
Maryland Telephone Solicitations Act
Telemarketers must:
- Identify themselves at the start of the call ("This is [name] calling on behalf of [company]")
- Honor consumer requests not to be called again
- Not call after 8pm Eastern
Calling hours
8am-8pm Eastern (federal is 8am-9pm — MD is one hour tighter).
Recording exemption
If both parties to a call know they're in MD, MD law applies. If one is out of state, federal one-party rule may apply — case law is ambiguous. Operator-safe practice: always two-party.
Operator checklist
- [ ] Two-party recording: beep + disclosure
- [ ] Agents identify company in first 30 seconds
- [ ] 8am-8pm Eastern
- [ ] Consumer opt-out honored within state law's deadline (10 business days)