Governor Murphy Signs "Seinfeld Bill" to Boost Telemarketing Transparency in New Jersey

In a move to protect New Jersey residents from unwanted and opaque telemarketing calls, Governor Phil Murphy has signed into law S921/A1545, dubbed the "Seinfeld Bill". The legislation, inspired by a scene from the popular NBC sitcom 'Seinfeld', mandates that telemarketers disclose key contact information within the first 30 seconds of a call.

“Every day, many New Jerseyans are bombarded with telemarketing calls, often without knowing who's on the other end,” stated Governor Murphy. “The 'Seinfeld Bill' shines a light on this, requiring telemarketers to reveal their identity and their purpose upfront, thus creating a much-needed layer of transparency in the industry.”

The bill, primarily sponsored by Senators Jon Bramnick and Nellie Pou and Assemblymembers Paul Moriarty, Daniel Benson, and Clinton Calabrese, is designed to ensure consumers know immediately who is calling them and why. Senator Bramnick noted, “If a telemarketer is legitimate, they should have no problem adhering to these new guidelines."

Assemblyman Moriarty highlighted the legislation's potential to protect seniors, a group often targeted by scams over the phone. He noted, "This new law will alert seniors that a telemarketer is trying to sell them something, offering them a crucial level of protection. We hope this will also help reduce the number of calls seniors receive at home."

As per the new law, a telemarketer must, within the first 30 seconds of a call, disclose their name, the name and phone number of the person or entity they are representing, and the purpose of the call. The legislation also requires telemarketers to disclose their mailing address on any owned or operated website, as well as on any subsequent written communication to a customer.

Furthermore, the bill prohibits unsolicited telemarketing sales calls between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., local time, at the customer's location. It's important to note, however, that these restrictions do not apply to instances where a customer has contacted the telemarketer and explicitly requested a follow-up call or contact.

By introducing the "Seinfeld Bill", New Jersey is taking a stand against intrusive telemarketing practices and prioritizing the privacy and peace of mind of its residents.