Texting & Voicemail Rules for Sales Reps in Maryland
To text or send ringless voicemail to sales leads in Maryland, you need prior express written consent (PEWC) under the federal TCPA (47 CFR 64.1200(f)(9)) — a purchased list is not consent. Send only during 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM at the recipient's local time, honor STOP opt-outs immediately, and include your business name. Maryland's key statute is Md. Code, Com. Law 14-3201 et seq., and it carries a private right of action (recipients can sue directly).
By Ryan Madden, Founder, FollowUp AI · Updated June 16, 2026 · This is a general summary of common rules, not legal advice. Confirm specifics with counsel.
Maryland SMS & voicemail compliance at a glance
| Consent for automated marketing | Prior express written consent (PEWC) — 47 CFR 64.1200(f)(9) |
|---|---|
| Quiet hours | 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM — Stricter — 1 hour earlier cutoff than federal 9 PM |
| Frequency cap | {'count': 3, 'period_hours': 24, 'note': 'Per number'} |
| State EBR exemption | No state EBR exemption |
| State DNC registry | No separate state registry (federal DNC applies) |
| Private right of action | Yes — recipients can sue directly |
| Penalties | Civil damages |
| Call-recording consent | Two-party (all-party) consent |
| Risk tier | High |
| Key statute | Md. Code, Com. Law 14-3201 et seq. |
Notable Maryland rules
- Stop the Spam Calls Act (effective Jan 1, 2024)
- Criminal penalties: up to 1 year imprisonment
Per-recipient timezone quiet hours, opt-out handling, and consent tracking — built in. Start free →
Frequently asked questions
Do I need consent to text sales leads in Maryland?
Yes. Automated marketing texts (and ringless voicemail) require prior express written consent (PEWC) under the federal TCPA, 47 CFR 64.1200(f)(9), in every state including Maryland. A purchased lead list is not consent.
What are the texting quiet hours in Maryland?
In Maryland, send marketing messages only 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM at the recipient's local time. Stricter — 1 hour earlier cutoff than federal 9 PM
Is there a storm or insurance-claim solicitation ban in Maryland?
Maryland has no special storm-solicitation ban beyond the standard federal rules. Roofing/restoration insurance-claim restrictions exist only in FL, TX, and LA.
Can I be sued for texting violations in Maryland?
Yes — Maryland provides a private right of action, so recipients can sue you directly in addition to the federal TCPA ($500–$1,500 per violation).
Does an existing customer relationship (EBR) let me skip consent in Maryland?
An EBR (18 months from a purchase, 3 months from an inquiry) only exempts you from the Do-Not-Call registry — it does not replace PEWC for automated marketing. You still need written consent to send automated texts or voicemail.
About the author. Ryan Madden is the founder of FollowUp AI, an SMS and ringless-voicemail follow-up platform for field sales teams, where he works on TCPA-aware outreach compliance. This is general information, not legal advice.