Attorney General's News Release

January 12, 2000

Nixon, Howard and Kissell call for bill that would end unwanted telemarketing calls

Jefferson City, Mo. — Missourians tired of constant telemarketing calls may soon have a way to end those annoying phone calls once and for all. A proposed bill announced today by Attorney General Jay Nixon, state Sen. Jerry Howard of Dexter and state Rep. Don Kissell of St. Peters would establish a statewide "don't call" list to protect Missourians from unwanted telemarketing calls.

"I know of people who don't answer their phone at night because they don't want to talk to another person trying to sell them something they don't want or need," Nixon said. "Some telemarketers may try to rob you of your money, but all telemarketers rob you of your time."

The bill would allow Missouri consumers who do not want to be called by telemarketers to place their names and numbers on a "don't call" list maintained by the Attorney General. Any telemarketer who makes calls into Missouri would be required to obtain a copy of the list and would be prohibited from calling any number on the list. Telemarketers who called a number on the list would be subject to a fine of up to $5,000 for each violation.

Nixon is proposing that the cost of maintaining the list would be funded through a $10 fee charged every two years to consumers who ask to have their numbers on the list and through fees telemarketers would pay to obtain the list.

"This bill would give Missourians back the time and the privacy stolen from them night after night by relentless telemarketers," Kissell said. "Missourians have the right to be free from high-pressure sales in their own homes. If they want to buy something, they should be the ones to initiate the purchase."

"A don't call list keeps people from bothering you in the first place," Howard said. "This is a simple and effective way we can change the law, help Missourians protect themselves, and hang up on telemarketers for good."

Kissell is expected to introduce his bill in the House on Thursday; Howard is expected to introduce a Senate committee substitute of the same bill in the near future.

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Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818