State Signs Deal For Operation Of Telemarketing Ban

HARTFORD (AP) — The state has signed an agreement with the Direct Marketing Association to run the telemarketing no-call program.

The idea of the program is to bring relief to the 195,000 people who have signed up to end calls from the pesky people who make sales pitches over the phone.

The new telemarketing law kicks in on Jan. 1, and those who haven’t signed up for the protection from inconvenient dinnertime and weekend sales pitches can register 30 days before the start of each quarter. One phone call or e-mail registration is good for five years.

“Anybody who wants to telemarket in Connecticut is going to have to get a hold of that list in order to do it,’’ said James T. Fleming, the state commissioner of consumer protection, on Tuesday. The state law applies to Connecticut and out-of-state businesses. All must delete the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of consumers on the state register from their marketing lists and databases.

Eighteen other states have similar laws, but many are less restrictive than Connecticut’s. Nonprofit organizations are exempt and companies starting business after Jan. 1 would be allowed one free solicitation.

But businesses will have to purchase lists of call-exempt consumers from the Direct Marketing Association of New York, the only firm to submit a proposal to manage the state’s database.

Businesses that violate the law are liable for $5,000 administrative fines under the state’s Unfair Trade Practices law.

People can register with the consumer protection agency by calling 800/842-2649 or they can register online at www.state.ct.us/dcp.