Assembly approves stiffer penalties for unwanted telemarketing calls

The Assembly moved and passed Assembly number 4456 on the floor, a bill intended to strengthen enforcement against unwanted telemarketing calls. Sponsor Mr. Boris told colleagues the bill sends two messages: to consumers that New York will act and to telemarketers that there are now "real teeth" in enforcement. "If you get a call that you don't want and you're on the do not call registry, please report it at do not call dot gov," he said.

During the brief explanation, another member quipped in floor humor referencing telemarketers' common extended‑warranty pitch, and the vote proceeded quickly. The clerk announced a recorded result for the item reported on the consent calendar as 'Ayes 142, Noes 0.'

The measure was processed on the consent calendar along with several other bills; sponsors and the Speaker congratulated the sponsor following the passage. The text read on the floor placed the bill on immediate effect where noted by the clerk's read of the last section; the Assembly recorded the vote and moved on to additional consent items.