Bramnick wants telemarketers to have 30 seconds to explain why they’re calling

Ready.  Set.  Go.

Telemarketers will have 30 seconds to identify themselves and what they’re selling under a bill sponsored by State Sen. Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield).

“New Jerseyans should know who they’re talking to on the phone and what’s being sold to them by telemarketers,” stated Bramnick, who has been trying to pass this law for more than eight years.   “My legislation requires more transparency from telemarketers and punishes those who lie and misrepresent information on sales calls.  If you’re on the up and up, you should have no problem with this bill if you’re a telemarketer.”

Telemarketers could be charged with a disorderly person’s offense if they fail to comply, although it’s not immediately clear how prosecutors would easily enforce this.

The bill, S-921, would also require telemarketers to provide their name and the name and phone number of the entity they represent and display their mailing address on their website.

State Sen. Nellie Pou (D-North Haledon) co-sponsored the legislation with Bramnick.  Consumer Affairs Committee Chairman Paul Moriarty, Dan Benson (D-Hamilton), and Clinton Calabrese (D-Cliffside Park) introduced an identical bill in the Assembly.

The Senate Commerce Committee approved Bramnick’s bill today.

Bramnick first introduced the legislation as an assemblyman in 2014.