May 19, 2004 4:22 pm US/Eastern

(1010 WINS) (TRENTON) New Jersey residents tired of irritating telemarketing calls that interrupt dinners and afternoon naps finally got some relief Wednesday as the state's long awaited do-not-call list took effect.

The law is supposed to close loopholes that allow telemarketers to continue to call people on the federal do-not-call registry. Those who signed up for the federal list will automatically be registered on New Jersey's registry.

"People work too hard, the last thing they need is intrusive telemarketers disturbing their private time," said Gov. James E. McGreevey who signed the telemarketing law over a year ago.

New Jersey's "do not call" law requires telemarketers to register each year with the Division of Consumer Affairs and prohibits them from calling residents who are registered on the list. It imposes fines of up to $10,000 for first-time violators and up to $20,000 for subsequent offenses.

The law bans telemarketing calls between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m. Solicitors also must state their name, company and reason for calling within 30 seconds.

Full Story at 1010 WINS News